Humpback whale anatomy
Date
1887
Creator
John Struthers (1823 - 1889, British) , Anatomist
After
F G Roger (British) , Photographer
Object type
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 135mm
width (print): 215mm
width (print): 215mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Four anatomical studies of a male humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (here referred to as Megaptera longimana) beached at Stonehaven in Scotland. Figure 2. The dorsal fin. Figure 3. The tail fin. Figure 4. The mammillary pouch and nipples. Figure 5 The head of the whale with the jaw propped open and with the figure of a man included for scale.
Plate 2 from the book Memoir on the anatomy of the humpback whale Megaptera longimana by John Struthers (MacLachlan and Stewart, Edinburgh, 1889). The volume was reprinted from a paper published in the Journal of Anatomy and Physiology.
The illustration is inscribed above ‘Journ. of Anat. & Phys. Oct. 1887. Vol. XXII N.S. Vol.II. PL.II’. Inscribed below: ‘John Struthers Delt.’ Each figure is numbered and the scale noted.
The author states that this whale was observed for several weeks feeding in the Firth of Tay off Dundee in Scotland in late 1883. The cetacean was harpooned on 1 January 1884 and fought for 21 hours, parting the harpoon line. The whale was mortally wounded and was found afloat one week later and towed into Stonehaven. The author dissected the creature after it had been exhibited at Dundee.
The accompanying explanation to the plate describes Figure 5 as being ‘From a photograph taken at Dundee by Mr F.G. Roger, of Broughty Ferry.'
Sir John Struthers (1823-1889) Professor of Anatomy at the University of Aberdeen.
Plate 2 from the book Memoir on the anatomy of the humpback whale Megaptera longimana by John Struthers (MacLachlan and Stewart, Edinburgh, 1889). The volume was reprinted from a paper published in the Journal of Anatomy and Physiology.
The illustration is inscribed above ‘Journ. of Anat. & Phys. Oct. 1887. Vol. XXII N.S. Vol.II. PL.II’. Inscribed below: ‘John Struthers Delt.’ Each figure is numbered and the scale noted.
The author states that this whale was observed for several weeks feeding in the Firth of Tay off Dundee in Scotland in late 1883. The cetacean was harpooned on 1 January 1884 and fought for 21 hours, parting the harpoon line. The whale was mortally wounded and was found afloat one week later and towed into Stonehaven. The author dissected the creature after it had been exhibited at Dundee.
The accompanying explanation to the plate describes Figure 5 as being ‘From a photograph taken at Dundee by Mr F.G. Roger, of Broughty Ferry.'
Sir John Struthers (1823-1889) Professor of Anatomy at the University of Aberdeen.
Associated place