vi PREFACE. 



The structure of Man has undoubtedly a more universal 

 interest than that of any other organized being, and 

 has, therefore, been more thoroughly worked out ; and as 

 the majority of terms used in describing the parts com- 

 posing the bodies of Vertebrate animals were originally 

 bestowed on account of their form, relation, or real or 

 fancied resemblance to some object, as they were met 

 with in Man, there are advantages in commencing with 

 members of the highest class, and mastering their essential 

 characters before proceeding to acquire knowledge of the 

 other groups. 



But as human anatomy may be taken as a point of de- 

 parture from which to set out in the study of that of other 

 Vertebrates, so, on the other hand, those whose special 

 duty it is to become familiar with its details, will find 

 themselves greatly assisted by some knowledge of the 

 structure of lower forms. Thus the essential characters 

 of the human skull will be much better understood if the 

 student will also make himself acquainted with those of 

 some simpler condition of Mammalian cranium, as that of 

 the dog or sheep. 



Although the present work contains the substance of a 

 course of lectures, the form has been changed, so as the 

 better to adapt it as a handbook for students. Theoretical 

 views have been almost entirely excluded ; and while it is 

 impossible in a scientific treatise to avoid the employment 

 of technical terms, it has been my endeavour to use no 

 more than are absolutely necessary, and to exercise due 

 care in selecting only those that seem most appropriate, or 

 which have received the sanction of general adoption. 



