PREFACE. 



Among the modern veterinary works published in our 

 own country, that there should not be one exclusively 

 devoted to the science of anatomy, will not appear alto- 

 gether so surprising- when we come to consider the oppor- 

 tunities of place and circumstance required to cultivate 

 this study ; the unwearied assiduity and labour incumbent 

 upon any chance of success ; and, after all, the probable 

 unprofitableness of such a work in the book-mart : for 

 (to echo the sentiments of Sir Charles Bell, our highly 

 disting-uished physiologist) the public really do not com- 

 prehend the importance of anatomy as a science. 



In the composition of the present work (parts of 

 which have already made their appearance in "The 

 Veterinarian"), the Veterinary Lectures, formerly 

 published by the Author, have been freely drafted from : 

 at the same time, the old matter has undergone much 

 revision^ correction, and emendation, and has been 

 altogether fresh cast — has been, in fact, arranged in 

 a systematic form : a plan, the Author is induced to 

 hope, that may tend much to facilitate the progress 

 of the student. On points obscured by any doubt 

 or mystery, the Author has consulted the most emi- 

 nent continental veterinary authorities ; above all others. 



