PREFATORY NOTE. 



This guide is the outgrowth of the printed and mimeographed sheets fur- 

 nished the students during the last few years in the course of Vertebrate His- 

 tology in Cornell University. The course is meant to be fairly comprehensive 

 in order to meet the needs of the three groups of students who pursue it, 

 viz. : students in the academic department, both graduate and undergraduate, 

 whose aim is general culture and attainment of a sound basis for investigation 

 in morphology and physiology; (2) Veterinary students; (3) Medical stu- 

 dents. For the two latter, the course forms an integral part of their profes- 

 sional training, and is designed to furnish aid in the comprehension of gross 

 anatomy, of physiology, and also as a foundation for the appreciation of the 

 changes revealed by pathological histology. 



It will be seen in looking through the guide that definite information is 

 given or will be supplied during the course for each specimen studied, and that 

 each student has opportunity and is required to carry on from the beginning 

 all the processes necessary for preparing tissues and organs for study according 

 to the great groups of methods, like the paraffin and the collodion methods, 

 isolation, and the methods of study of living and fresh material. It is believed 

 that this training in independent work is as important as the formal instruction 

 in histology ; for every investigator must, and every practitioner of either 

 human or veterinary medicine, ought to be able to work out by himself some 

 of the problems arising in his study or practice. 



An effort has been made in this course to combine the excellencies of the 

 three great methods of learning, viz. : ( i ) That of text-books and works of 

 reference with recitations or quizzes 5(2) that of the living teacher in lectures, 

 and in personal instruction and supervision in the laboratory ; (3) finally, and 

 most important, that of personal contact with the truths of nature in actual work 

 where knowledge is gained at first hand. 



If this guide is looked over or used by teachers in other institutions, we 

 shall deem it a favor if any errors of statement are pointed out to us, and if sug- 

 gestions for improvement are made by those who have had much experience in 

 conducting laboratory courses with definite objects in view. 



SIMON HENRY GAGE, 



BENJAMIN FREEMAN KINGSBURY. 



SEPTEMBER, 1899. 



