INTRODUCTION 5 



those matters that have to do with the workings of the hving 

 body. A study of hving things should give us useful ideas 

 about eating and drinking, about breathing and bathing, about 

 rest and sleep, about exercise and study, about work and play, 

 and so on. These things are ' important not only to doctors 

 and nurses, who have to do with sick persons, but also to 

 everyone who cares for health and happiness — and who of 

 us does not ? Moreover, a systematic study of living things 

 should help us to understand the behavior of the men and 

 women and children with whom we have dealings every day. 

 Much that seems to us queer or unreasonable in other people's 

 conduct, much that seems to us wrong, can be understood 

 from a biological point of view. And it is surely worth while 

 to avoid misunderstandings, false judgments, and ill feelings 

 so far as possible. 



5. Biology related to enjoyment of life. Finally, the more 

 time we have away from our work, the more opportunity may 

 we have to become acquainted with the wonderful varieties of 

 living plants and animals that fill the world about us. And 

 if our minds are alert, most of us will be curious to understand 

 not only the habits and ways of these living things, but also 

 their relationships to their surroundings, to one another, and 

 to us. In this way we may get from our acquaintance with 

 nature a large share of enjoyment in life, just as we get much 

 from paintings and music, from natural scenery and travel, 

 from drama and literature, and from intercourse with other 

 living beings like ourselves. 



As we become more civilized we shall have more oppor- 

 tunities to enjoy life through our understanding of the things 

 of nature, as well as through appreciation of the doings of 

 human beings. 



6. All life related. We might begin our study of biology 

 by capturing the first plant or animal that comes within reach 

 and trying to find out all about it. If we did this in a thorough- 

 going manner, we should find out a great deal about many 



