INTRODUCTION. VII 



The order in which the animals are presented has been 

 determined by the following circumstances : — 



The work in zoology has usually begun with the fall 

 term. At this time insects are abundant, and many kinds 

 may be easily collected ; they therefore serve well to show 

 how animals are classified. The leading principles of 

 classification having been taken up in connection with 

 insects, no other group is so fully dwelt upon. 



By beginning at this time, the transformations of the 

 butterfly may be followed through during the school 

 year. 



Insects are attrdctive ; from insects the student passes on 

 to forms which, if taken up at first, would perhaps be 

 distasteful to him. Thus it is found that the most squeam- 

 ish pupils gradually become accustomed to the free handling 

 of all forms of animals. The subject need not be presented 

 in its least attractive form at first. 



After devoting considerable time to insects, the student 

 takes up the crayfish, earthworm, clam, snail, a few proto- 

 zoans, a snake, a fish, a frog, a bird, and a mammal. This 

 order of study has been found convenient, but the order is 

 not a matter of great importance; the general principle 

 should be, — study what comes to hand. "He is a good 

 naturalist who knows his own parish thoroughly." 



Special stress is laid on devising cheap appliances for 

 collecting, preserving, and dissecting specimens. 



These directions make no pretence of being complete 

 dissecting guides, but have been adapted to the ability of 

 ordinary pupils in the second year of a high school course, 

 and to the time allowed this study. 



