Anatomy of the Cat

by Jacob Reighard; H. S. Jennings

Wilder and Gage’s “Anatomical Technology” will be found very useful for methods of work.

The plates of Strauss-Durckheim’s “Anatomie du Chat” are exceedingly valuable for the bones and muscles, and should be in the laboratory if possible. Outline reproductions of these plates have been published by H. S. Williams (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1875). The use of both the original plates and the reproductions is made difficult by the antiquated nomenclature used for the structures figured.

Method of Use of the Present Directions.

—Except in the case of the Bones, the order of study of the structures is usually not the same as the order in which they are described. This is of course due to practical difficulties in dissection. The present directions give the order of study, or at least the order of dissection; of course after dissection the structures can be reviewed in the logical order given in the descriptions. But in the first study and dissection, the student is to use these directions for the order of work, while using the body of the book for the descriptions. It will be necessary therefore to keep the book opened in two places,—one in the appendix, for the directions; one in the body of the book, for descriptions. In studying the muscles, for example, the student will follow the order of dissection given in the appendix, but as every muscle is dissected he will find, confirm, and study the description of that muscle given in the body of the book. Other organs are studied in a similar manner.

Before commencing the study, read that portion of the preface which explains the use of terms of direction ([page VII]).

Note that the page on which any figure is found may be determined by consulting the [list of figures] given in the [Table of Contents].

THE BONES.

The bones will of course be studied from dried specimens. These may be prepared once for all and kept in the laboratory from year to year. A number of mounted skeletons of the cat should be at hand; these must be prepared by some one who has skill in such work.

Preparation of Separate Bones.

—For preparing the separate bones the liquid-soap process recommended by Wilder and Gage (“Anatomical Technology,” p. 107) will be found most convenient. This is as follows: The skin and soft parts are removed as far as possible without injury to the bones.