Key Collection Page

Human dissection prepared by John Barclay

SKELETON originally dissected by J Barclay. This specimen is known as a natural skeletion in which the ligaments and muscles are dried and hold the body together. The arteries have been injected with wax. In wooden case with glass panels. this one of the original Barclay collection that was bequeathed to the College after his death in 1826. The Musuem Minute Book of 1859-1880 states that in In 1876 the skeletons in the Barclay Collections were ‘varnished over with turpentine to remove and prevent growth of mould.’

Indian elephant skull

The skull of the Indian elephant from John Barclay’s original collection of comparative anatomy, given to him by George Ballingall, later President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.