A set of eleven plaster models mounted on wooden bases, each representing a stage in the development of the frog embryo. These examples are not brightly coloured like those represented in 2023.zoo.80.1-11 and 2023.zoo.81.1-7. They appear to be primarily focused on the external form.
This model likely represents a complete, or very nearly complete, set since two similar sets (2023.zoo.83.1-20 and 2023.zoo.84.1-20) contain a similar number of models.
2023.zoo.82.1: A semispherical model painted in primarily in brown and yellow.
The following is written on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The smaller white paper label that is usually affixed to it is missing.
2023.zoo.82.2: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. There is a white spot at the top with a small sphere at its centre.
The following is written in in on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 1”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “I”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “I”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.3: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. There is a white spot at the top with a small sphere at its centre. A black line is drawn from the top to bottom of one part of the model.
The following is written in in on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 2”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “II”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “II”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.4: A spherical model painted primarily in brown, beige, and cream. A shallow cleft runs vertically around the circumference of the sphere.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 3”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “IIII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, over which a piece of clear tape has been placed. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “III”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.5: A spherical model painted primarily in brown, beige, and cream. Four shallow clefts run vertically around the circumference of the sphere at 90 degree intervals.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 4”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “IV”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, over which a piece of clear tape has been placed. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “IV”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.6: A spherical model painted primarily in brown, beige, and cream. Four shallow clefts run vertically around the circumference of the sphere at 90 degree intervals. A further cleft funs horizontally around the model.
The following is written in in on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 5”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “V”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, over which a piece of clear tape has been placed. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “V”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.7: A spherical model painted primarily in brown, beige, and cream. Four shallow clefts run vertically around the circumference of the sphere at 90 degree intervals. A further cleft funs horizontally around the model.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 6”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “VI”
The metal Mueller-Ward label is missing from this example.
2023.zoo.82.8: A spherical model painted primarily in brown and cream. The model is textured with an even surface of small protrusions. There is a black vertical mark on the surface of the model.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 7”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “VII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “VII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.9: A semispherical model with a flattened face painted in five colours. There is a small void near the centre of the flattened face. The curved surface is painted brown and textured with an even surface of small protrusions.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 8”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “VIII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “VIIIa”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.10: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. An oval patch of cream-coloured, textured surface covers a portion of its surface.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 9”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “VIII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, with has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “VIII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.11: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. An oval patch of cream-coloured, textured surface covers a portion of its surface. This is slightly smaller than in 2023.zoo.82.10.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 10”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “X”
The metal Mueller-Ward label is missing from this example.
2023.zoo.82.12: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. An oval patch of cream-coloured, textured surface covers a portion of its surface. This is circular and smaller than in the previous two models, larger than in 2023.zoo.82.13.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 11”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “IX”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “IX”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.13: A spherical model painted primarily in brown. An oval patch of cream-coloured, textured surface covers a portion of its surface. This is circular and smaller than in the previous three models.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 12”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XI”
The metal Mueller-Ward label is missing from this example.
2023.zoo.82.14: A model shaped like a slightly-elongated sphere and painted primarily in brown. Along the top of the shape is a shallow trench or depression whose interior is beige. At one end of the shape is a small circular patch of cream-coloured, textured surface.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 13”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.15: A model shaped like a slightly-elongated sphere and painted primarily in brown. Along the top of the shape is a shallow trench or depression whose interior is beige. The model is similar in appearance to 2023.zoo.82.14, but lacks the cream coloured patch.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 14”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XIII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XIII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.16: A model shaped like an elongated sphere and painted in brown. Along the top of the shape is a trench or depression. This model is slightly longer than 2023.zoo.82.15.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 15”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XIV”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XIV”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.17: A model, slightly more elongated than 2023.zoo.82.16 and painted in brown. There is a slightly enlarged portion at one end. The paint on this part of the model is noticeably chipped.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 16”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XV”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XV”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.18: A model, slightly more elongated than 2023.zoo.82.17 and painted in brown. There is a slightly enlarged portion at one end. This has two small depressions resembling eyes. There is a single depression at the centre of the opposite end.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 17”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XVI”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XVI”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.19: A brown model, slightly more elongated than 2023.zoo.82.18. It has similar features with the addition of a tail-like protrusion at the rear.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 18”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XVII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XVII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.20: A brown model , slightly more elongated than 2023.zoo.82.19. It has similar features with small black patches on the sides with the addition of a series of grooves along both sides. The paint on the front of the model part of the model is noticeably chipped.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 19”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XVII”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XVII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
2023.zoo.82.21: A brown model, the longest in the series. It has white eyes and black fin-like patches. The paint is chipped across its surface.
The following is written in ink on a white adhesive label on the wooden base: “B – 20”
The following is written in black marker on the wooden base: “XIX”
This model retains its original metal Mueller-Ward label, which has a piece of clear tape over it. The metal label includes a smaller white paper label upon which the following numeral is printed: “XVII”. Below this is written: “COPY R 1941”
Accession Number: 2023.zoo.82.1-21
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Plaster, Wood.
Markings:
Dimensions of the square base= 10 x 10. Typical height of a model is ~14. The longest model is 31.
These models represent the stages of embryological development of the frog, an organism commonly used in biological instruction.
A c. 1945 Mueller-Ward catalogue notes the following: “The models are not meant to supplant the actual study of the frog’s egg itself, but only to give the student certain definite ideas and a few clear landmarks so that this study may be rendered easier and more profitable.”
The paint of most of the models has been chipped with use, especially around exposed edges. It is not clear whether this set is complete.
Associated Instruments:
Ward’s Natural Science Establishment, Inc., Rochester, NY.
Date of Manufacture: Mid 20th Century.
These models were used at the Department of Zoology (now part of the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Cell & Systems Biology).
The models were photographed and catalogued on Feb 6, 2023. They remain at the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Additional models of this type are located in the EEB teaching lab, so the sets catalogued here may be incomplete.
A brief biography of Justus F. Mueller (1902-1993), the developer of the models, can be found at New York Heritage Digital Collections, along with information on his personal papers at SUNY Upstate Medical University – Health Sciences Library. (Archived February 13, 2023).
Some relevant digitized catalogues can be found at “The Ward Project” website that is run by the University of Rochester. See especially Mueller-Ward models of frog embryology (c1945). (Accessed March 7, 2023)
A brief history of Ward’s Natural Science Establishment, Inc., which produced the models, can be found at the River Campus Libraries of the University of Rochester. This archive holds the company’s papers. (Archived February 13, 2023).
The models in this collection were developed by Justus F. Mueller (1902-1993), an American parasitologist educated in both art and zoology. Following his graduate research at the University of Illinois, Mueller took a position at the New York State College of Forestry (now SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) in Syracuse, New York in 1929.
While at the College of Forestry, he partnered with Ward’s Natural Science Establishment, Inc. to create 16 sets of zoological models comprising 116 models.
Ward’s Natural Science Establishment was founded in 1862 by Henry Augustus Ward (1834-1906). The company supplied natural science materials to museums. In 1928, the Ward family donated the company to the University of Rochester. The company began to flourish in the 1940s and was sold to Dean L. Gamble, its president, and Frank Hawley Ward in 1940. The company became very successful during the expansion of science education in the early Cold War Period.