PREFATORY NOTE 



THE following outline of work in practical zoology is 

 intended to be flexible both in material and iii order of 

 presentation. Material may be added or eliminated and 

 the order of presentation may be changed to suit the 

 conditions of the school or the views of the instructor. 

 As it stands, it represents the author's idea of the general 

 nature and extent of a course in practical zoology, that, 

 when supplemented by the text, will constitute a knowl- 

 edge of animal life that should occupy its proportionate 

 share in the education of a well-rounded person in the 

 ordinary pursuits of life. The author has attempted to 

 combine Huxley's "verification" method with Agassiz's 

 " investigation " method in such proportions as to main- 

 tain interest, cultivate scientific habits of thought, and 

 impart lasting information. 



Some do not think it best to begin with the microscope, 

 but the author's experience indicates that high school 

 pupils, sufficiently advanced to take a course in zoology 

 equivalent to the one outlined here, learn to use the 

 microscope as easily in the early part of the course as in 

 its later stages. Pupils of this age are so interested and 

 enthusiastic over the wonders of microscopic life that they 

 are eager to learn to use the microscope and, with few 

 exceptions, handle the instrument with skill and fine care, 

 often verging on solicitude. 



Also, some teachers prefer to begin the subject of 

 zoology with the study of one of the higher animals ; for 



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