XX On Comparative Jlnatomy, and the 



valry is rendered necessary, by the war in which the United 

 States ave engaged. — But independently of this latter consi- 

 dei'ation, which is of a public nature, and certainly of suffi- 

 cient consequence to claim the notice of government ; if the 

 noble animal, the horse, considered in a domestic view, were 

 alone the object of our attention, the importance and high 

 ralue set upon him, when his powers for either speed or 

 drauglit, or the beauty of his form have been greatly im- 

 proved, would be an inducement sufficiently great to autho- 

 rise a course of instruction upon his structure, diseases, and 

 the means of preserving his health. 



As it is very probable that a part of my hearers are en- 

 tirely unacquainted with the subject upon which I am to lec- 

 ture, and even with the meaning of the words " Comimrative 

 Anatomijf^ it is due to the importance of this branch of 

 knowledge to explain them, to show what attention the stu- 

 dy has excited in the old world, to enumerate the names of 

 the distinguished characters who have cultivated it, and to 

 lay before you the very great benefits derived from it, in 

 elucidating the structure and functions of the human body*, 

 and explaining the doctrines of its physiology : in aiding the 

 Painter^ Sculptorf and Engravtr, and lastly, to point out its 

 intimate connexion with Veterinary Medicine. 



By the term <' Comparative Anatomy" is understood, the 

 investigation of the structure of brute animals ; and its ob- 

 jects are to demonstrate the diversity that exists among si- 

 milar organs, and analogous parts, and to compare them with 

 one another, and with man. 



It is reasonable to suppose that this study must have at- 

 tracted the attention of mankind in very early times. The 

 slaughter of animals for food, the preparation of the ofter- 

 higs on the altar, by the priest, and the custom of deducing 

 auguries from the state of the entrails;, would naturally lead 

 to some knowledge of the structure and appearances of tlie 

 parts : we know likewise, from the book of Exodus, that 

 names were even attached to them, and the parts declar- 



