[Chelymys macquaria/The Murray Tortoise.]

Rare Australian lithograph the Macquarie River Turtle from Frederick McCoy’s, Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria.

Common name: Macquarie River Turtle
Modern binomial name: Emydura macquarii
First described: Gray, 1830
Distribution: SA, VIC, NSW, QLD

McCoy arrived in Melbourne in 1854 to assume the inaugural Professorship of Natural Science at the recently established University of Melbourne. Over the ensuing four decades, he played a central role in the scientific community of the colony. Serving as the first Director of the newly established National Museum of Victoria. McCoy played a pivotal role in the museum’s rapid growth and the expansion of its collection. He meticulously curated an exceptional natural history and geological collection, incorporating mining models and drawing on his extensive knowledge of international sources. In 1870, the Museum of Natural and Applied Sciences, Melbourne, was placed under the oversight of the Public Library trustees. Despite persistent challenges in securing funds and navigating plots to relocate the museum, McCoy’s steadfast defence and solace lay in the institution’s popularity and scientific reputation.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID: 850045
State Library New South Wales: Call Number: DSM/Q591.992/M
State Library Victoria: RARELT 591.9945 M13
State Library South Australia: 591.9945 M131 b
Smithsonian Institution: Call Number QL339.V6 M12
Royal Collection Trust UK: RCIN 1055668