CONTENTS 



PART I 



THE SOURCES OF BIOLOGICAL IDEAS EXCEPT THOSE OF 



ORGANIC EVOLUTION 



CHAPTER I 



PAGE 



AN OUTLINE OF THE RISE OF BIOLOGY AND OF THE EPOCHS IN ITS 



HISTORY, 3 



Notable advances in natural science during the nineteenth century, 3. 

 Biology the central subject in the history of opinion regarding 

 life, 4. It is of commanding importance in the world of science, 

 5. Difficulties in making its progress clear, 5. Notwithstanding 

 its numerous details, there has been a relatively simple and 

 orderly progress in biology, 6. Many books about the facts of 

 biology, many excellent laboratory manuals, but scarcely any 

 attempt to trace the growth of biological ideas, 6. The growth 

 of knowledge regarding organic nature a long story full of human 

 interest, 7. The men of science, 7. The story of their aspira- 

 tions and struggles an inspiring history, 8. The conditions under 

 which science developed, 8. The ancient Greeks studied nature 

 by observation and experiment, but this method underwent 

 eclipse, 9. Aristotle the founder of natural history, 9. Science 

 before his day, 9, 10. Aristotle's position in the development of 

 science, n. His extensive knowledge of animals, 12. His scien- 

 tific writings, 13. Personal appearance, 13. His influence, 15. 

 Pliny: his writings mark a decline in scientific method, 16. The 

 arrest of inquiry and its effects, 17. A complete change in the 

 mental interests of mankind, 17. Men cease to observe and in- 

 dulge in metaphysical speculation, 18. Authority declared the 

 source of knowledge, 18. The revolt of the intellect against these 

 conditions, 19. The renewal of observation, 19. The beneficent 

 results of this movement, 20. Enumeration of the chief epochs 

 in biological history: renewal of observation, 20; the overthrow 

 of authority in science, 20. Harvey and experimental investiga- 



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