382 ANATOMY OF VERTEBRATES. 



in number, are easily understood and remembered, and, if gene- 

 rally adopted, might take the place of names. They would then 

 render unnecessary the repetition of phrases, harmonise con- 

 flicting synonyms, serve as a universal language, and at the same 

 time express the expositor's meaning in the fewest and clearest 

 terms. The entomologist has long found the advantage of such 

 signs as £ and $ , in reference to the sexes of insects, and the 

 like ; and it is hoped that the time is now come when the ana- 

 tomist may avail himself of this powerful instrument of thought, 

 instruction, and discovery, from which the chemist, the astro- 

 nomer, and the geometrician have obtained such important 

 results. 



