Dr Barclay's advocation to the proposed professorship of comparative anatomy supported and opposed: represented by him riding the skeleton of an elephant into the University of Edinburgh. Etching by J. Kay, 1817.

Satire generated by the proposal, in 1817, to found a chair of comparative anatomy at Edinburgh University. John Barclay, who was proposed as candidate for the chair, rides on the skeleton of an elephant trying to enter the porch of Old College, Edinburgh. He is supported by J. Gregory, who is pushing the elephant from the rear. Underneath the animal, T.C. Hope has fallen after an attempt to break its forward stride. To right, Alexander Monro tertius and R. Jameson both bar the way into the college