CHAPTER XIV. 



Methods of Classification — Former Reliance on External Charac- 

 teristics — The Offices of Comparative Anatomy and Compara- 

 tive Osteology — Taxidermy as a Fine Art— Museums and their 

 Functions. 



The immense value of zoological gardens to the school of Com- 

 parative Anatomy is a matter that does not often suggest itself to 

 the casual visitor to these most popular places of resort in all well 

 appointed educational centres. The " Jardin des Plantes," and the 

 " Jardin d' Acclimatization," in Paris, are, perhaps, the most scien- 

 tific institutions of this kind, and therefore, students of natural his- 

 tory are much benefited by visits to these gardens and the organiza- 

 tions associated with them. 



The zoological garden should be recognized by all thoughtful 

 observers as the introductory department to the comprehensive 

 science of Zoology. The school of anatomy relies on a varied sup- 

 ply of specimens for profitable work, and this school should leave as 

 its contribution to the public, who usually support institutions of this 

 kind, a well arranged gallery of osteology and taxiderm}-. 



From the most superficial reading in our day, one gathers some 

 crude ideas of the science of life with all its interdependent relations, 

 yet, few can pursue the subject beyond the most primary considera- 

 tions, though all intelligent readers wish to understand the great 

 principles which connect all living forms. 



Confining ourselves strictly to the highest order of living things 

 — the vertebrates — we all recognise the similarity of structure, and 

 at the same time the immense differences which afford special fitness 



