PREFACE. 



contingencies to which all works are liable, when they are published in Parts, 

 and dependent for regularity of publication on the punctual contribution of the 

 various articles. Where such punctuality could not be obtained, and where it 

 was found absolutely necessary to curtail delay, the changes above alluded to 

 were adopted as a matter of necessity rather than of choice. Thus, Ear is 

 referred to HEARING, ORGAN OF; Kidney to REN. The union of certain 

 articles together under one heading was sometimes found both convenient 

 for treating the subjects, and economical of space. Thus, the Anatomy of 

 the Brain was conveniently associated with that of the Spinal Cord, and will 

 be found under NERVOUS CENTRES ; that of the Intestinal Canal under 

 STOMACH AND INTESTINAL CANAL (Dr. Brinton) ; and that of the Ovary in the 

 elaborate article of Dr. Farre, UTERUS AND ITS APPENDAGES. SEROUS AND 

 SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES have been treated of under one heading, from the close 

 analogy of their structure ; and Hairs, Nails, Skin, &c., are described under the 

 general title TEGUMENTARY ORGANS. 



It was found absolutely necessary, owing to difficulties which otherwise 

 must have completely prevented the completion of the work, to place several 

 articles in a supplementary volume, regardless of strict alphabetical arrange- 

 ment. But it is hoped that for this, as well as the other departures from the 

 strict Encyclopaedic form, compensation will be found in the various Indices, 

 and in the Table of Classified Contents. 



26 Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London, 

 Jan. 1859. 



