PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
Huxley after years of pedagogical experience reached 
the conclusion that it is unwise to introduce the beginner 
at once to new and strange forms of microscopic life when 
it is possible to use a subject of which the student is 
bound to know something,—the elementary anatomy of 
a vertebrate animal. The late T. Jeffrey Parker and 
numerous other eminent zoologists likewise advocate be- 
ginning zoological work by studying one of the higher 
animals. Since the majority of college students have time 
for only one year of zoological work, they cannot acquire 
a fruitful knowledge of both vertebrates and invertebrates. 
A study of the former enables one not only to become 
familiar with the anatomy and physiology of his own body, 
—a matter of vital importance,—but throws a clear light on 
the significant problem of organic evolution such as 1s not 
to be derived from a study of invertebrate forms. Inas- 
much as the genealogical histories are best worked out 
among the Mammalia, and since a careful study of the 
anatomy of the cat familiarizes one with the anatomy of 
the human body, as is evidenced by the fact that our best 
medical schools now adyise their prospective students to 
dissect either a dog, a cat, or a rabbit as a preparation for 
their later work, it is apparent that a knowledge of the 
mammals is of the greatest worth. 
This brief work is intended to acquaint the student with 
the general structure of the cat, and at the same time intro- 
duce him to some of the most important morphologic 
features of the Mammalia. The following works are useful 
for reference: “Anatomical Technology,’ Wilder and 
Gage; “Anatomy of the Cat,” Reighard and Jennings; 
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