i io THE MAIN CURRENTS OF ZOOLOGY 



the classification of animals for which the modern 

 name is taxonomy. From it arose the study of field 

 zoology, with such offshoots as ecology, the study of 

 habits, and, of the geographical distribution of 

 animals. 



Work in ecology the study of the relations be- 

 tween animals and their surroundings has been 

 very active in the last decade. There has been 

 developed an extensive technique for experimental 

 observation of animals, special societies have arisen, 

 text-books and periodicals for the publication of 

 results of ecological study have been started. Geo- 

 graphical distribution of animals is also allied to 

 natural history. 



General Physiology. The most significant thing 

 about an animal is that it is endowed with life and 

 the analysis of those vital processes that are an ex- 

 pression of its life, should go hand in hand with the 

 study of its structure. Zoology that is limited to 

 study of the architecture of animals manifestly is in- 

 adequate. General physiology of organisms is as much 

 a part of zoology as is morphology but it is not so 

 frequently utilized in courses of study. The subject 

 as related to zoology embraces a general considera- 

 tion of the principles upon which all physiological 



