The Anatomy of the Frog

Abstract

THE rapid advance of physiology and morphology since the completion of Profs. Ecker's and Wiedersheim's “Anatomie des Frosches” has intensified the desire for a text-book which should deal in the most exhaustive manner with the anatomy of the frog, “the physiological domestic animal.” Dr. Haslam remarks in his preface that he has done his best to bring the original of “Ecker's Frog” up to date, and in this task he has thoroughly succeeded. More than one hundred new figures, of which one-third are original, have been added, and copious lists of references to frog literature have been drawn up. He has restricted himself to the most careful and concise description of the various organs, and has abstained from entering into the discussion of such morphological questions as bear upon the comparison of the Anura with other Vertebrata. It would therefore be out of place to criticize the retention of names which—like atlas for the first free vertebra—if applied to the frog alone, are perfectly clear in their meaning, although their true morphological value, and therefore true denomination, may possibly be different. Every anatomist knows the difficulties connected with the frog's first spinal or hypoglossal nerve; its description on p. 182 will enable the reader to form his own opinion as to which of the three or four names he may adopt. The Anatomy of the Frog. By Dr. Alexander Ecker, Professor of Human and Comparative Anatomy in the University of Freiburg. Translated, with numerous Annotations and Additions, by George Haslam, M.D., Scientific Assistant in the Medical Department in the University of Zürich; formerly Assistant-Lecturer in Physiology in the Owens College, Victoria University, Manchester. Illustrated with many Wood Engravings and Two Coloured Plates, executed by Hofmann, Würzburg, Bavaria. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1889.)