ture, but are capable of an arrangement as systematic and complete as the parts from which the specimens themselves were taken, the object of such collections, when rightly considered, being not simply that of affording amusement to the curious, but of contributing to the successful cultivation of Natural Science. The plan hitherto adopted in the choice of a subject for these Lectures has been, to follow the order laid down in the Table of Tissues, given in Vol. I. page 117. In that volume are described the principal tissues of vegetables, and three of those belonging to animals, viz., Simple Membrane, Fibrous Tissues, and Cellular Tissues. The Sclerous, or hard tissues, follow next in order: under this head the Rudimentary Skeleton of Invertebrate Animals is included, a subject to which the present work is almost entirely devoted. In this volume upwards of six hundred preparations are described; of these, above four hundred were exhibited to the class during the course, the remainder having been alluded to more or less in detail. In conclusion, the author would beg again to thank his friend Dr. P. B. Ayres, for his very kind assistance during the progress of the work. 39, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, April 5th, 1854. |