16 SOME REASONS FOR THE STUDY OF BIOLOGY 



animals need the same conditions in their surroundings in order to 

 live : water, air, food, a favorable temperature, and usually light. 

 We learn that the life processes of both plants and animals are 

 essentially the same, and that the living matter of a tree is as 

 much alive as is the living matter in a fish, a dog, or a man. 



Biology in its Relation to Society. — Finally, the study of biology 

 should be part of the education of every boy and girl, because society 

 itself is founded upon the principles which biology teaches. Plants 

 and animals are living things, each taking what it can from its sur- 

 roundings; they enter into competition with one another, and 

 those which are the best fitted for life outstrip the others. Health 

 and strength of body and mind are factors which tell in 

 winning. The strong may hand down to their offspring the char- 

 acteristics which make them the winners. 



Man has made use of this message of nature, and has developed 

 improved breeds of horses, cattle, and other domestic animals. 

 Plant breeders have likewise selected the plants or seeds that have 

 varied toward better plants and thus have stocked the earth with 

 hardier and more fruitful domesticated plants. Man's dominion 

 over the living things of the earth is tremendous. It is due to the 

 understanding of the principles which underlie the science of biology. 



