FOREWORD 



This work, ivhlch is here presented in the English language, is 

 based on a course of lectures given at the University of Helsingfors, 

 Finland, during the academic year igi6-iy. It is the author s in- 

 tention to present a picture of the development of biological science 

 throughout the ages, viewed in conjunction ivith the general cultural 

 development of mankind. Regarded thus as a link in the general history 

 of culture, the problems of biology luill, it is hoped, prove of interest 

 not only to young university students, for whom this book is priinarily 

 intended, but also to a still wider public. With regard to modern times, 

 for obvious reasons it has only been possible in such a brief history as 

 this to give a very summary account of recent developments. A more 

 thorough knowledge of the results of specialised biological research will 

 be gained by reference to the literary works of professional biologists, 

 which often contain a historical survey by luay of introduction. On 

 the other hand, the theoretical principles on which research work has 

 been carried out have been discussed here in greater detail, both for the 

 reason that records of them are not so easily accessible and on account 

 of the influence they have exerted upon culture in general. In accordance 

 with this principle a number of typical representatives of each trend of 

 thought have been selected for inclusion and their ivork described, while 

 no attempt has been made to present a complete record of all personalities 

 that have figured in the biological world. In this, as in other historical 



