Biologists and Their Work 805 



do so very carefully, watching for the methods used in the solution of the 

 problem under consideration. After you have reread the reference 

 sufficiently, write a report, giving the contents under the proper head- 

 ings or steps listed above. 



QUESTIONS AND TOPICS 



1. Describe the conditions under which the science of biology originated. 



2. Why does the "father of natural history" deserve that designation? Consider- 

 ing the conditions under which he worked, how do you evaluate his work? 



3. Discuss the reasons why biology as a science did not originate earlier and why 

 progress was not more uniform and rapid. 



4. Discuss several biologic theories proposed before the time of Christ. 



5. Discuss the causes for the decline of biology after the so-called Greek period. 



6. Discuss the reasons for the revival of science in the Middle Ages. 



7. List the more important biologists of the past and include the contributions 

 which each made to the progress of the science. 



8. What were the effects on biology of the invention and perfection .of the micro- 

 scope ? Be specific in your statements. 



9. Why were the earlier biologists called natural philosophers? Is there still 

 philosophy in biology today? Explain your answer and give proof. 



10. Are there greater biologists today than in times past? Why do you say so? 

 What makes a biologist great? 



11. Was the lack of progress in biology of the past due primarily to a lack of 

 scientific equipment ? Why do you say so ? 



12. In what directions do you expect the greatest advances in biology in the fu- 

 ture? Give reasons why you say so. 



13. After you have read each of the assigned references which show how scientists 

 have solved problems, record all materials under the four headings suggested 

 in the chapter. Attempt to use the scientific method in the solution of as 

 many of the problems which you encounter as possible. If certain problems 

 do not seem to lend themselves to the use of the scientific method, is this due 

 to the fault of the method or to a probable incorrect use of the method? 



14. Memorize the steps to be followed in the scientific solution of a problem and 

 use them in the solution of as many of the problems which you encounter as 

 possible. 



15. When you have solved a problem, attempt to apply the conclusions in other 

 fields or problems as far as justifiable from the data at hand. 



SELECTED REFERENCES* 



Banting, Best, and Macleod: The Internal Secretion of the Pancreas, Am. J. 



Physiol. 59: 479, 1922. 

 Bayliss and Starling: The Mechanism of Pancreatic Secretion, J. Physiol. 28: 



325-359, 1902. 

 Dobell: Antony van Leeuwenhoek and His "Little Animals," Harcourt, Brace 



and Co., Inc. 



*Also see references to various chapters, especially Chapter I, and references supplied by the 

 instructor. 



