CHAPTER XI 



HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BOTANY AND THE 

 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 



Biology in its broadest sense includes all studies pertaining to 

 the form, structure, and activities of living plants and animals. 

 In many American colleges and universities, however, the term 

 biology is used in a restricted sense, to designate an introductory 

 course in biological science for beginning students. In such an 

 introductory course the general facts and principles of the science 

 are presented comprehensively from the standpoint of both plant 

 and animal life, in order either to lay a foundation for more ex- 

 tended studies in botany and zoology or to serve as a basis for 

 general reading and culture. In the actual work of the teacher 

 or the investigator it has been found necessary, however, to sub- 

 divide the science of biology into botany, the science of plants, 

 and zoology, the science of animals. These two sciences are again 

 subdivided into many lesser branches, often termed sciences, since 

 no one mind can any longer master more than a small corner of 

 the ever- widening field of biology. This subdivision of biological 

 science into its smaller branches has come about in a natural way 

 as the knowledge of animals and plants has gradually increased 

 by study and research. 



Classification, systematic biology, or taxonomy. The early 

 studies of both botanists and zoologists were made in an attempt 

 to classify plants and animals into groups based upon external 

 resemblances. These early attempts at grouping organisms gave 

 rise to a definite branch of biology now known as classification, 

 systematic biology, or taxonomy, represented in our many man- 

 uals of botany and zoology, which are intended to enable students 

 to secure a clearer idea of the relationships and general attributes 

 of common plants and animals. In botany Asa Gray was the 

 greatest early systematic botanist in the United States, and we still 



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