Vll 



A few words are here necessary in explanation of the system of 

 nomenclature used throughout this work. Although reluctant 

 to add to the confusion already prevailing in the nomenclature 

 of veterinary anatomy, the author has not conformed to any 

 of the systems in general use. The system here employed is 

 based on the principle of naming each object after the homo- 

 logous object in human anatomy. So far, indeed, as any of 

 the systems in use can be said to follow a principle, it is that 

 just stated; but the violations of the principle are numerous, 

 and, in most cases, appear to have been dictated by the merest 

 caprice. The most vicious form of departure from the principle 

 is that in which terms adopted from human anatomy are employed 

 to designate not the actual homologues, but other parts having, 

 it may be, some faint resemblance in shape or otherwise to the 

 objects bearing these names in the human subject. This method 

 is indefensible, since it tends to produce the greatest confusion, 

 and, if generally adopted, would render a comparison of the 

 anatomy of any two animals an impossibility. Many such terms 

 have long been in use, but it is hoped that they are not 

 ineradicable. 



In cases where objects appear to be without homologues in 

 human anatomy, new names must, of course, be found. In 

 only a few of these instances, however, has the author employed 

 terms of his own invention, preferring, in general, to adopt 

 some of those already in use. 



The greatest diversity of names, it will be found, exists in 

 the case of muscles, and the following table of synonyms has 

 been compiled for the convenience of those already familiar with 

 the terms employed in some other works. 



