ZOOLOGY. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Definition of Zoology. — The study of nature compi 

 the examination both of mineralsand of living beings, i.e., 

 plants and annual-. Every natural object in this world 

 which is lifeless belongs to the mineral kingdom: such are 

 rocks, soils, water, air. and gas. Since plants and animals 

 live and grow and have organs, or distinct parts which per- 

 form acts called function-, as the eye which sees, the hand 

 which grasps, etc, all living beings arc said to beorganic, 

 and all mineral bodies are said to be inorganic. It is cus- 

 tomary to s;>cak of the Mineral Kingdom, the Vegetable 

 Kingdom, and the Animal Kingdom; but it is better to 

 sneak of the inorganic and the organic worlds, since all liv- 

 ing beings or organisms have much in common which 

 distinguishes them from mineral substam 



The Btudv of plants is called Botany, and the study of 

 animals Zoology; while the study of living beings in gen- 

 eral, whether plants «.r animals, is termed Bi logy, which 

 means t he science of li> iug 1" Qg8. 



Method of Study.— We study an animal, if it be a Jog, 

 for example, 03 obsen ing its form, noticing its head, trunk, 

 its four legs. etc. After a long ami patient examination of 

 tie outer body we disseel it. examining the heart, stomach, 

 brain and nerves, etc. and the skeleton. After a thon 

 study of a single specimen we should then compare it with 

 a cat, and thus make our studios comparative. Aiter such 



