The idea of this manual on the anatomy of the frog, of which I now offer the first part to physiologists and to those who would become such, occurred to me during the preparation of the plates for my ‘Icones Physiologicae.’ I was then convinced of the necessity of such a book. I regret that many direct and indirect causes have hindered its earlier completion; fortunately, however, its appearance is still opportune, as the need for the book has not diminished. I am conscious that the book requires a recommendation to the indulgent judgment of my fellow-workers, since almost every one has studied the frog for one purpose or another, and each will closely criticize in that department with which he is most familiar. Although I shall not be able to satisfy all, still I hope that my work may serve as a useful basis for further investigations, and I would apply to it the words with which Sömmering prefaced his anatomy: ‘Ich wünschte ein Handbuch zu liefern und seine Einrichtung so zu treffen, dass man künftig an ihm als einer Basis nach Erforderniss leicht ändern, wegnehmen und zusetzen könnte‍1.’

Lest more be anticipated from the book than it is intended to supply, I would observe that I have throughout had in mind only a descriptive anatomy of the indigenous (German) frog; a comparative anatomy of Batrachians was as foreign to my intention as were developmental or histological questions: hence morphological details must not be expected. Any hope of formulating a systematic nomenclature of the muscles has been abandoned; as neither one based upon their mode of action, of which we know so little, nor one based upon their origins and insertions, as demonstrated by the unpronounceable names of Chaussier and Dugès, is really practicable. I have therefore preferred to avail myself, as far as possible, of the received names, which have been chosen partly according to mode of action, partly according to origin and insertion, and partly according to position and form; while in the choice of new names I have given preference to the simplest.

The figures are, with few exceptions, original, and drawn by myself. Their careful execution in woodcut has added a very necessary neatness to that correctness, which alone I claim as mine.

ALEXANDER ECKER.

Freiburg,
 February, 1864.