The plan of study seeks to develop analytic ability in the stu- 

 dent. The customary procedure is to classify vertebrates and then 

 to consider anatomical variations within such a framework as if 

 there were no interrelationships between classes of vertebrates. 

 Although it is necessary to introduce the various chordates at the 

 beginning, a formal classification should actually stem from the 

 morphological information presented during the course of study. 



Traditionally the study of chordate morphology is identified by 

 the title "comparative anatomy." By definition though, morphol- 

 ogy is a broader term than anatomy since it includes not only the 

 study of anatomical structure but also the origin of structure in 

 terms of its embryology and evolution. Thus morphogenesis adds 

 another dimension to anatomy. 



The content of courses in this area of zoology varies, but gen- 

 erally it consists of summaries of anatomical variations observed 

 in vertebrates, or chordates, set in a phylogenetic background. An 

 extreme presentation deals with the anatomical details of a single 

 animal, such as the cat; occasionally this is interspersed with re- 

 marks on functional or comparative aspects, but little or no in- 

 formation is given on phylogenetic history. If a course is based 

 only on summaries of anatomy and statements about phylogeny, 

 it tends to present the subject as stereotyped and colorless. If a 

 course is based only on anatomical facts deemed useful, it ignores 

 another important value, which is to reveal to the student some- 

 thing of his nature, and his place in the cosmos. Historically one 

 of the goals of man's intellectual efforts in the field of the natural 

 sciences has been to understand himself and his environment, an 

 environment of harsh and rigorous ideology as well as physical 

 surroundings. 



As a field of study, comparative morphology is always in a state 

 of some confusion because of its vast scope and because of the many 

 aspects of structure or systematics from which it seeks clews. In- 

 formation is pouring in from all sides and the task of creating 

 greater order becomes larger every year. Disorder is, in part, an 

 evidence of growth, as well as an indication of changes in view- 

 point. Fossil discoveries are continually filling in gaps and smooth- 

 ing the sequences between fossil and living species, and studies of 

 the phylogeny of many groups of animals can and are being made. 

 No one has more than a hazy notion of what the first vertebrates 

 looked like or even how the jawed and jawless groups are related 

 to each other. Almost any vertebrate can be investigated as an 

 experience in discovery. 



It has recently been pointed out that whereas comparative mor- 



