CONTENTS 
PART I 
THE SOURCES OF BIOLOGICAL IDEAS ExcEpT THOSE OF 
OrcaAniIc EVOLUTION 
CHAPTER I 
PAGE 
AN OUTLINE OF THE RISE OF BIOLOGY AND OF THE EPOCHS IN ITS 
HIsTory, . ‘ - ; » 3 
Notable advances in natural science during the nineteenth century, 3. 
Biology the central subject in the history of opinion regarding 
life, 4. It is of commanding importance in the world of science, 
5. Difficulties in making its progress clear, 5. Notwithstanding 
its numerous details, there has been a relatively simple and 
orderly progress in biology, 6. Many books about the facts of 
biology, many excellent laboratory manuals, but scarcely any 
attempt to trace the growth of biological ideas, 6. The growth 
of knowledge regarding organic nature a long story full of human 
interest, 7. The men of science, 7. The story of their aspira- 
tions and struggles an inspiring history, 8. The conditions under 
which science developed, 8. The ancient Greeks studied nature 
by observation and experiment, but this method underwent 
eclipse, 9. Aristotle the founder of natural history, 9. Science 
before his day, 9, 10. Aristotle’s position in the development of 
science, 11. His extensive knowledge of animals, 12. His scien- 
tific writings, 13. Personal appearance, 13. His influence, 15. 
Pliny: his writings mark a decline in scientific method, 16. The 
arrest of inquiry and its effects, 17. A complete change in the 
mental interests of mankind, 17. Men cease to observe and in- 
dulge in metaphysical speculation, 18. Authority declared the 
source of knowledge, 18. The revolt of the intellect against these 
conditions, 19. The renewal of observation, 19. The beneficent 
results of this movement, 20. Enumeration of the chief epochs 
in biological history: renewal of observation, 20; the overthrow 
of authority in science, 20. Harvey and experimental investiga- 
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