PRACTICAL WORK. 527 



accomplished by the specialist in the mere study of 

 structure, however accurate and learned. There is 

 still much to be learnt by outdoor observation, about 

 the habits and distribution even of common animals.. 

 Such observation requires no apparatus but a pair of 

 eyes, and no learning but common sense ; aod it adds 

 to the health of the observer, which all indoor studies, 

 on the contrary, tend to ruin. These facts should be. 

 borne in mind by students, who possess a taste for 

 natural history, before they decide to confine their 

 energies to. the grooves indicated to them by text- 

 books and examination papers — grooves which will of 

 necessity be followed, for professional purposes, . by^ 

 many who have no such tastes, but which ought not to; 

 limit the energies of those who have a real aptitude; 

 for zoological studies. 



If the student decides, however, to begin a course 

 of dissection, he may refer to the books named on. 

 p. 31,6; but he will need tjo make good use both of > 

 hands and eyes, if he is to learn much about dis- 

 secting withoujb the assistance of a teacher. Thosei 

 whose tastes run in this direction, however, will: 

 usua.lly have some .acquaintance who can give them 

 help. The student should bear in mind, in beginning 

 practical work,- that the \ dead animal body, whatever 

 its kind, should be regarded with a certain reverence, 

 as the physical eipression of. that wonderful uncom-. 

 prehended thing we call Life. The study ,of the 

 animal body, u.ndertaken in a right way, brings us 

 into the,, presence of the .great problems of our exists. 



