56 INTRODUCTORY. 



may sometimes be had, lack the firmness of texture which is desirable for the examination 

 of certain parts. 



The veterinarian is especially interested in the horae and the cow ; but these are too 

 large and costly for elementary work ; in less degree, the sheep and the pig are open to 

 the same objection. 



The needs of the comparative anatomist were well expressed in the course of a " Labora- 

 tory talk," by the late Prof. Jeffries Wyman, as recorded by the senior author (2, 5) : 



" In commenting upon the unsatisfactory nature of some published notes of dissec- 

 tions, he said : ' Much of this is due to the lack of suitable standards for comparison. The 

 human body is not a suitable standard for the lower vertebrates. The best thing any 

 anatomist can do is to prepare complete accounts of the structure of a few forms, each 

 typical of some large group. The fowl could represent the birds, and the cat the mammals. 

 The cat's anatomy should be done first, because it would also serve as an introduction to 

 Human Anatomy, and thus become an important aid to Medical Education.' " 



Theoretically, among known forms, the wants of the comparative anatomist might be 

 more fully met by the more generalized opossum or raccoon. The tiny musk-deer of Java 

 could be more easily dissected and preserved than most of our hoofed quadrupeds ; while a 

 medium sized monkey, especially after some confinement, is the best possible substitute 

 for the human subject. 



Unfortunately, however, none of these animals is sufficiently abundant in all parts of 

 the civilized world, and we must select such as are to be had. The rat is certainly too 

 small for most purposes, and not easy to obtain unmutilated. The rabbit, like the rat, 

 belongs to a group of peculiar mammals, the Rodents, with no special advantages in 

 respect to either human or veterinary anatomy. Dogs vary greatly in size and mode of 

 life, so that no one of the many breeds can be fairly spoken of as the dog, and although, 

 as stated by the senior author (21,308), the pectoral muscles present less variation 

 than might be expected, few comparisons have been made of the other soft parts except- 

 ing the brain, where, as regards the disposition of the cerebral fissures, the variation is 

 considerable and perplexing (Wilder, 12, 242). 



So far as we can judge from published records and our own observations, cats are much 

 less subject to variation than dogs. They are both walkers and climbers, and therefore 

 comparable with the domestic quadrupeds on the one hand, and with the monkeys, and 

 through them with man, on the other. They are common in most civilized lands, fertile, 

 easily reared, and may be kept in confinement, even in considerable numbers, without 

 difficulty. They quickly succumb to anaesthetics, and their size is such as to facilitate 

 both dissection and preservation in alcohol. They are quiet, while dogs are noisy. 



125. Of a less practical nature, yet well worth mention, is the remarkable combination 

 in the cat's organization, of delicacy, agility and strength ; a combination which seems 

 almost perfectly adapted to the prolongation of individual life and the perpetuation of the 

 species. Indeed, as well remarked by Mivart (B, 493,) "Something may be said in favor 

 of cats being the highest of mammals, if man is considered merely in his animal capacity, 

 in which alone he can be brought into comparison with other organisms." See also 

 Minot, 1, and Dana, 1 23, 160. 



This idea will be acceptable to those who prefer the purely teleological aspect of Nature. 

 Others, however, may find ample ground for discussion respecting the universal operation 

 of the doctrine of Final Causes, at least in the present state of our knowledge. Teleology 

 has not yet explained the existence of the insignificant clavicle, the rudimentary primal 

 metacarpal, the little pocket at the border of the ear, or the cusps on the deciduous man- 

 dibular canine teeth. 



126. In short, while freely conceding the advantages which might be presented by 



