PREFACE. 



IT is hoped that the account given, in the following 

 pages, of the lives of five great naturalists may 

 not be found devoid of interest. The work of 

 each one of them marked a definite advance in 

 the science of Biology. 



There is often among students of anatomy and 

 physiology a tendency to imagine that the facts 

 with which they are now being made familiar have 

 all been established by recent observation and 

 experiment. But even the slight knowledge of the 

 history of Biology, which may be obtained from 

 a perusal of this little book, will show that, so far 

 from such being the case, this branch of science 

 is of venerable antiquity. And, further, if in the 

 place of this misconception a desire is aroused 

 in the reader for a fuller acquaintance with the 

 writings of the early anatomists the chief aim 

 of the author will have been fulfilled. 



