VI PREFACE. 



structure of the several tissues and organs, and this with a 

 pre-eminent degree of success. Amongst the more remark- 

 able of these investigators the following may be enumerated : 

 Gulliver, Martin Barry, Busk, Addison, Kiernan, Sharpey, 

 Goodsir, Tomes, Toynbee, Johnson, Simon, Todd and Bow- 

 man, Quekett, Erasmus Wilson, Hughes Bennett, Carpenter, 

 Rainey, Handfield Jones, and Gairdner. 



The results of the labours of these observers have not as 

 yet, however, been embodied in a separate work ; but some of 

 them have been mixed up with works on descriptive anatomy 

 and physiology, as in Sharpey's edition of Quain's Anatomy, 

 in Carpenter's " Principles " and " Manual " of Physiology, 

 and in Todd and Bowman's " Physiological Anatomy." The 

 last is an admirable book, full of original research and im- 

 portant facts. 



Now, one of the purposes, the accomplishment of which 

 has been attempted in the following pages, has been the col- 

 lecting together of the numerous communications on general 

 anatomy to be found scattered through the pages of our 

 different scientific periodicals, and their combination into a 

 whole. 



The further objects which the author has had in view in 

 the production of this work have been simplicity of descrip- 

 tion, fidelity of representation, and the addition of such facts 

 and particulars as have occurred to himself in the course of 

 his own investigations ; and he may take this opportunity of 

 observing, that in but few instances has he written upon a 

 subject without previous investigation. 



That a work similar in character to the present was needed 

 is proved by the foregoing details ; and that the objects above 

 referred to have been, to some extent at least, accomplished, 

 is shown by the favourable reception which has hitherto been 

 accorded to this undertaking. 



The author considers it right, in justice to himself, that 

 certain disadvantages under which the work has been pro- 



