28 THE TEACHING BOTANIST 



of Man, and hence gives the best basis for the under- 

 standing of many of the facts of human physiology, 

 hygiene, etc. On the other hand, experimental physi- 

 ology is easily possible with Plants, many of whose 

 most important processes are identical with those of 

 Animals ; and Plants are easier than Animals to ob- 

 tain and keep. Botany perhaps comes somewhat 

 closer to our daily interests than Zoology, and aes- 

 thetically it certainly far exceeds the latter. But which 

 of the two is chosen in any case may depend upon the 

 predilections of the teacher or other extrinsic causes. 

 Often a combination course in Biology made up of parts 

 of each is offered, which certainly has advantages, 

 though I am of opinion that, upon the whole, there is 

 more profit in a full course in one or the other than in a 

 half course of each. Most people undoubtedly consider 

 Botany a much easier subject than Zoology, but that is 

 due entirely to the fact that hitherto only its more 

 superficial aspects have usually been selected for study. 

 The very ease of collection, preservation, and identifica- 

 tion of Plants has led teachers to magnify that phase 

 to the exclusion of others, a fact which abundantly 

 explains the rather low estimation in which as a study 

 Botany is popularly held. Where two or more Sci- 

 ences are studied in succession, practically the most 

 profitable sequence is as follows, Chemistry, Physics, 

 Botany, Zoology. 



