4 PREFACE. 



to lie between being logical and being serviceable, the author has 

 preferred that the arrangement should be serviceable. 



The study of animals alive, and in their biological relations to their 

 environment, is made a prominent feature. It is not morphology, or 

 physiology, or natural history alone, that constitutes a proper ele- 

 mentary zoological course, but a comprehensive study of animals, that 

 develops these sciences in their proper relations, and gives the ele- 

 mentary student a general view of the whole field, a correct 

 " zoological perspective." Morphology may, perhaps, like chemistry, 

 be learned in the laboratory alone, but zoology may not. It has been 

 a popular delusion that a term of dissections constitutes a proper ele- 

 mentary course. Such a course was an improvement on former 

 methods : the study of dead animals is infinitely better than no con- 

 tact with animals at all. But to study animals with nature and life 

 left out is to omit a phase of the subject of deepest scientific interest, 

 of highest educational importance, and of greatest pedagogical utility. 



This book is written primarily for use in the interior : hence 

 forms of life obtainable only at the seashore receive less attention 

 than those found inland. The study of animal life is best begun 

 with forms nearest at hand. The custom of sending to the seashore 

 for specimens with which to begin the study, and neglecting a wealth 

 of material at home, does not deserve to be encouraged. At the sug- 

 gestion of many teachers who live where fresh marine material is 

 available, a study of the starfish is inserted as the last chapter in the 

 book. Believing that it will be used in some cases where material to 

 illustrate it is insufficient, it contains fewer interrogation points, and 

 more of explicit statement, than preceding chapters. A few diagrams 

 of structures are inserted for the same reason. 



All the work outlined in the following pages has been tested in the 

 classroom, and has been repeatedly performed by the author while 

 drawing up these lessons ; and it is hbped by him that they may prove 

 reasonably free from ambiguity and error. Xo animal is studied 

 exhaustively : each one lends itself to some special purposes of illus- 

 tration, and to such ends only is it used. Care has been taken to 

 introduce no work beyond the capacity of the beginner. The illustra- 

 tions given are intended to guide the student in finding and identify- 

 ing for himself the animals recommended in the text for study. Few 

 drawings are given of things which the student may reasonably be 

 expected to draw for himself. If such are wanted, the reference 

 books recommended are filled with them, and may be consulted with 

 profit. 



In the material presented herein the author can lay no claim to 



