iv PEEFACE 



ployed as an introduction to general comparative anatomy ; and inas- 

 much as in its general scope, in its methods of description, in the 

 prominence given to practical detail and comparison, and as far as 

 possible in its terminology, it is in accord with the standard text- 

 books on human anatomy, it may be confidently used in preparation 

 for the study of human anatomy, especially by those who propose to 

 enter a medical course. 



Unquestionably the only true way to study human anatomy is to 

 dissect the human subject. It is also unquestionable that this study 

 will be more effective, and time and valuable material saved, if tin- 

 student bring to the task a familiarity with methods and a knowledge of 

 details acquired in the dissection of an animal belonging to the Mam- 

 malia, man's own class, and especially of one whereof the anatomy 

 agrees to such an extent with man's that the few differences either are 

 unimportant or when marked may furnish a key to more complicated 

 human structures. It is not unlikely, moreover, that there is many a 

 one who, while desiring a general knowledge of human anatomy, is 

 vet unable to attend a medical school. To such a student this volume 



*/ 



is offered in the assurance that the careful dissection of a typical 

 mammal will be of more service than the reading of books and the 

 examination of models. The conviction that study to be worthy of 

 the name must be thorough is the justification for what may seem an 

 exaggerated elaboration in the descriptions in the following pages. 



The present volume deals with the skeleton of the cat, and is 

 complete in itself. An introductory chapter treats of the structure 

 and classification of bones, their parts and features, and the practical 

 methods of study, with an explanation of the general terms used 

 in description. This introduction is followed by a systematic study 

 of every bone and of the regions which they form when joined 

 together. The description of a bone includes an explanation of its 

 name, the areas for muscular attachment, its articulations, rules for 

 rapid identification, the centres of ossification from which it is de- 

 veloped, its growth, and its variations. The corresponding bone in 

 the human skeleton is then carefully compared with it. Under the ex- 

 planation of the name of a bone are given the Latin or Greek original 

 terms, together with the English derivatives and the corresponding 

 terms in French and German. The meaning and derivation of all 

 special technical terms are given in foot-notes. 



