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y. The Skeletal System of Nectukus maculatus Rafiuesque. 

 By Harius Hawtiiokne Wilder, Ph. D. 



(Read February 19, 1902.) 



Introduction. 



In view of Gaupp's recent reAdsion of Die Anatomie des Frosches, Professor von 

 Bardeleben says, '' Es ware im Interesse einer besseren Fundamentirnng der verglei- 

 elienden Anatoniie luiehst wunschenswert, wenn bald zu den wenigen ausfiilirlichen 

 Monographien von Wirbeltieren einige neue, z. B., je eines Selachiers, Gauoiden, Tele- 

 ostiers .... eines Urodelen .... einiger Reptile und uiederen Sanger, besonders Insecti- 

 voren, kjinien. . . . Wer wagt es ? " Tbe following paper is an attempt to cany out the 

 suggestion of the above quotation as far as it concerns a Urodele ; and it is hoped that, 

 as occasion allows, papers upon the other systems of Necturus may be added to this and 

 thus gradually complete a monograph upon the anatomy of a typical tailed amphibian. 



In the selection of Necturus to serve as a type, I have been guided by several 

 reasons, mostly of a practical nature. JVectums maciiJatus is probably the most abundant 

 and widely distributed Perennibranch in the world, and owing to this fact, as well as to 

 its large size, is employed as universally in American laboratories, as is the Salamandra 

 maculosa in Europe. This exploitation of the .species as a laboratory animal has led to 

 the development of means for its capture in quantity for such purposes, and it is thus by 

 no means so uncommon an ol)ject of study in the laI)oratories of Europe as it was a few 

 years ago.' 



Anatomically and structurally considered, the choice of an animal to represent the 

 Urodela should be either that of a highly specialized one, thus emphasizing those charac- 

 ters which are essentially Urodelau ; or tliat of one taken from the most primitive group, 

 which would have the two advantages of showing each organ in its simplest condition, 

 and of suggesting the phylogenetic origin and relationship of the entire order. 



Granting that the second of the above alternatives has the most in its favor, the 

 choice would be limited to one of the Proteidae, a family represented by three generic 



'Necturus is supplied at present at must of the American universities at $10.00 per hundred, and altliough just at 

 present there is an attempt being made liy dealers to advance the price, especially of those exported to Europe, such con- 

 ditions cannot last long. 



