HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ZOOLOGY 447 



searches on structure or habits or life history of an animal 

 have furnished information of value in controlling animal 

 pests, and also in protecting and propagating desirable 

 animals or those of direct value to man. The United States 

 Public Health Service has rendered immeasurable services 

 to zoology in investigating the relations of parasites to the 

 health of the nation. 



In similar manner many of the states support, from taxes, 

 laboratories which return to the people many times the 

 amounts invested in protection of human lives and in bet- 

 tering the economic conditions of many industries. The 

 office of state entomologist, the numerous natural-history 

 surveys, departments of health, water surveys, and other 

 organizations supported by many states not only yield a 

 return in valuable discoveries in economic zoology but have 

 also been large factors in the advancement of pure science. 



Societies. Public interest in animals has been stimulated 

 in many ways, of which societies and museums are prominent 

 examples. The Audubon societies were named in honor of 

 our pioneer student and bird artist, J. J. Audubon. These 

 societies scattered throughout the country and numerous 

 other nature-study organizations are responsible in large 

 measure for much of our legislation designed to protect 

 birds. More recently sportsmen and all others interested in 

 our native wild life have formed various societies and or- 

 ganizations, of which the Izaak Walton League is typical. 

 Through the efforts of such groups, popular sentiment for 

 conservation is being fostered. 



Natural History Museums. Museums have played no small 

 part in the advancement of science. Most of them render 

 a service in educating the public in the wonders of nature, 

 and some become centers for research and study. The 

 National Museum, supported by our federal government, 

 and private institutions such as the American Museum 



