PREFACE. 



Huxley after years of pedagogical experience reached 

 the conclusion that it is unwise to introduce the beginner 

 at once to new and strange forms of microscopic life when 

 it is possible to use a subject of which the student is 

 bound to know something, the elementary anatomy of 

 a vertebrate animal. The late T. Jeffrey Parker and 

 numerous other eminent zoologists likewise advocate be- 

 ginning zoological work by studying one of the higher 

 animals. Since the majority of college students have 

 time for only one year of zoological work, they cannot 

 acquire a fruitful knowledge of both vertebrates and 

 invertebrates. A study of the former enables one not 

 only to become familiar with the anatomy and physi- 

 ology of his own body, a matter of vital importance, - 

 but throws a clear light on the significant problem of 

 organic evolution such as is not to be derived from a 

 study of invertebrate forms. Inasmuch as the genea- 

 logical histories are best worked out among the Mam- 

 malia, and since a careful study of the anatomy of the 

 cat familiarizes one with the anatomy of the human 

 body, as is evidenced by the fact that our best medical 

 schools now advise their prospective students to dissect 

 either a dog, a cat, or a rabbit as a preparation for their 

 later work, it is apparent that a knowledge of the mam- 

 mals is of the greatest worth. 



This brief work is intended to acquaint the student 



