Prologue: Why Stud} Vertebrates? ." 



The fact that we enjoy eating some of our fellow vertebrates is not 

 to be dwelt upon too intently lest our appetite for meat be impaired. 

 However, our common preference for beef and lamb is certainly not 

 because cattle and sheep anatomically resemble man. Quite the reverse. 

 We, in general, are not cannibals. If monkeys or the larger apes were 

 easily available in large numbers, our aversion to eating our own kind 

 would doubtless be generously extended to include these animals, re- 

 gardless of the particular view which we may hold concerning the origin 

 of man, and we would still prefer our beef and mutton. Some of us have 

 an aversion for "red meat" but may eat fish and lobster. If we must 

 have animal food, our preference tends toward that which is devoid of 

 human connotation — but with many inconsistencies, for numerous 

 quite unhuman creatures such as snakes and insects seem to be inher- 

 ently objectionable to us as food. 



In the familiar facts set forth above may be found the reason why 

 the study of biology requires early acquaintance with comparative 

 anatomy, first of animals in general and then of vertebrates in particu- 

 lar. Appreciation of the facts of comparative anatomy is significant in 

 relation to the structure of the human body, the functions of its parts, 

 and the origin of the individual human body and the human race. 



Science is the outgrowth of man's curiosity concerning the world 

 about him. Living things especially stimulate his curiosity. The part of 

 the world most immediately about him — that is, about his conscious 

 self — is his own body. Scientific investigation, initiated by curiosity, 

 usually leads to knowledge which may be applied to improving the con- 

 ditions of human life. It is of advantage to a man that he understand 

 the construction of such mechanisms as his watch or his automobile. He 

 may so derive better service from them. A knowledge of his own bodily 

 mechanism enables him to use it to his greater profit. Similarities be- 

 tween the structure of the human body and that of other vertebrates 

 are far-reaching; physiologic similarities are equally so. Experimenta- 

 tion on animals other than man has proved of incalculable value in the 

 relief and eradication of human disease. Therefore a knowledge of the 

 comparative anatomy of vertebrates is helpful and broadening as part 

 of the preparation for the study of medicine. 



In theoretic biology, data derived from the study of vertebrates have 

 played a particularly important part. Vertebrates, being the larger, 

 more obvious, and easily obtainable animals in man's environment, 

 were among the first to become objects of his active curiosity. They are 

 especially favorable for biologic investigation, and their similarity to 

 man gives added incentive to the study of them. So it has come about 

 that the vertebrates are more thoroughly known than any other of the 

 larger groups of animals. Certain principles or "laws" of biology and 



