Untitled - eCommons@Cornell - Cornell University

ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT. 165
The Museum. In its formation there has been kept in mind
constantly its main purpose as an aid to instruction, elementary and
advanced. Merely curious, showy or costly specimens have not been
sought. But efforts have been made to obtain from all parts of the
world representative forms of the various vertebrate groups, and, by
means of carefully prepared specimen, to illustrate ideas, e.g., the
adaptation of structure to function ; the persistence of apparently
useless or injurious organs ; the unity of type under diversity of ex
ternal form and mode of life ; the relationship of man to the apes,
etc. The collection embraces an unusual number of well preserved
and prepared brains of man and other vertebrates. The local fauna
is already represented by 240 species, of which about 55 are fishes and
about 150 are birds ; it is believed that at least 350 different vertebrates
inhabit the neighborhood of Ithaca.
The Vivarium. There is as yet no special provision for a zoologic
garden, but living animals of moderate size and cost are kept in the
basement of McGraw Hall, and are accessible at all times to students
and visitors. During 1898-9 the forms were as follows : Monkey,
cat, fox, raccoon, ferret, porcupine, hare, mouse, flying squirrel;
crow, pigeon, parrot, gull, grebe ; alligator, heloderma (Gila mons
ter), serpents and turtles; frogs, salamanders and necturus ; lake
lamprey, amia, gar, stickleback, catfishes, perch, suckers, sunfish,
etc.
Opportunities for Research. Besides ordinary forms, there are
readily obtained living necturus, amia, and two kinds of lamprey.
The Brazilian fishes collected by the late Professor C. F. Hartt have
been identified by Professor Eigenmann. The large number of cats,
sheep hearts and brains, and of representative vertebrates used annu
ally at the practicums in Physiology and Zoology facilitates the study
of both normal anatomy and variation. Besides the museum speci
mens there are in store many entire vertebrates, particularly marsu
pials at various ages. The hearts of numerous forms have been
prepared by injecting alcohol into their cavities. For the study of
cerebral topography,
and literature.
The following
unusual facilities are offered in both material
courses are offered in 1899-1900 :
Courses 1 to 7 inclusive may be taken by Freshmen without special
permission.
1. Physiology. Fall term. Three hours. Two lectures ; T. Th. , ,
11. One practicum ; two sections at hours to be arranged Thursday
and Friday afternoons. The lectures treat of largely the structure