PREFACE. 



Fifty years ago it was possible for a teacher in a Winter 

 course of Lectures to lay all the essential facts of Embryology 

 and Comparative Anatomy before his pupils ; to-day fifty courses 

 were not sufficient, so boundless have these subjects grown. Yet, 

 in spite of their rapid growth, they have been retained in Higher 

 Examinations in Human Anatomy by our Universities and 

 Colleges without any principle being laid down to guide teachers 

 and taught as to the scope required. No book dealing with 

 these subjects exists to afford a precedent. The criterion which 

 the Author applied in determining the scope of this work he 

 believes will be accepted by pupils, teachers, and examiners. 

 The course of Demonstrations, of which this book is the 

 substance, was given under the walls of a great hospital to 

 students preparing to work within its wards. Hence, each fact 

 taught the student was necessarily one which was capable of 

 application in his life's work or by the possession of which 

 he became a better workman. The extent to which each 

 subject was dealt with was determined by its practical im- 

 portance. In brief, clinical utility was the criterion employed. 

 The way to the wards is the road to the examination room, 



