I 



THE MODERN STUDY OF 

 ZOOLOGY 



THE man of business knows full well at times too 

 well the importance of periodical stock-taking ; 

 of comparing his actual position with his estimated 

 one, of ascertaining exactly how he stands, of 

 assuring himself that his affairs are in a sound and 

 healthy condition, and that the gain on the year's 

 transactions is a real one. The man who neglects 

 such precautions is apt, sooner or later, to find 

 himself in difficulties : his latest transaction proves 

 a failure, and on attempting to fall back on his 

 former position and start afresh, he finds the ground 

 cut away from beneath him, his reserve fund myste- 

 riously vanished, and his affairs in hopeless con- 

 fusion. 



As in business, so in science, it is well to have 

 periodical stock-takings. Scientific facts accumulate 

 rapidly, and give rise to theories with almost equal 

 rapidity. These theories are often wonderfully 

 enticing, and one is apt to pass from one to another, 



A 



