The principal animals to be used for stud7 in this course 

 will be the shark {Squalus acanthias), representing a rather 

 primitive vertebrate; the mudpuppy {Necturus maculosus), an 

 amphibian representing a stage in the transition of animals 

 from aquatic life to land life; and the cat {Felis domestica), a 

 typical land mammal. From time to time reference will be 

 made to demonstrations of other animals. A more ideal 

 arrangement would be to study representatives of all groups of 

 vertebrates, but in a one-semester course time does not permit. 

 However, the instructor will supply additional material for those 

 who wish to do extra work. 



In as much as one aim of the course is to present anatomy 

 from the standpoint of evolution, all organ systems will be 

 studied in a comparative way. The order of procedure will be 

 to study the same organ system in each vertebrate before taking 

 up the next organ system. 



Do not lose sight of the function of an organ. That the 

 anatomy of an organ is correlated with its function is a funda- 

 mental principle in zoology and should be kept in mind. As 

 you dissect try to imagine how the various parts would act in a 

 living animal. 



The descriptions are based on average normal animals, but 

 many variations occur. Do not attempt to make the specimen 

 fit the description. Conduct dissections in the spirit of inves- 

 tigation. Try to find things for yourself before asking for 

 help. Of the three ways of acquiring knowledge — observation, 

 discussion, and reading — observation is the most important in 

 anatomy. Those who can see only what is pointed out to them 

 do not make good scientists. 



Form the habit from the beginning of looking up the mean- 

 ing and pronunciation of words you do not know. Also, look 

 up the derivation of technical terms; it will help in remembering 

 them. 



