The History of Biology 387 



theory of organic evolution ; the demonstration that germs are a tremen- 

 dous factor in disease; and the experimental study of inheritance as 

 suggested by the work of Mendel and Weismann. 



And the most important writings of the most important men may 

 be summarized here by following Professor William Locy's account, 

 which we have modified slightly. 



THE MOST NOTABLE MEN AND WRITINGS IN BIOLOGY 



The progress of Biology has been owing to the efforts of men of 

 very human qualities, yet each with some special distinguishing feature 

 of eminence. Certain of their publications are the mile-stones of the 

 way. It may be worth while, therefore, in a brief recapitulation to 

 name the books of widest general influence in the progress of Biology. 

 Only those publications will be mentioned that have formed the starting 

 point of some new movement, or have laid the foundation of some new 

 theory. 



Beginning with the revival of learning, the books of Vesalius, "De 

 Corpora Humani Fabrica" (1543), and Harvey, "De motu Cordis et 

 Sanguinis" (1628), laid the foundations of scientific method in Biology. 



The pioneer researches of Malpighi on the minute anatomy of plants 

 and animals, and on the development of the chick, best represent the 

 progress of investigation between Harvey and Linnaeus. The three 

 contributions referred to are those on the ''Anatomy of Plants" 

 (Anatome Plantarum), (1675-1679) ; on the "Anatomy of the Silkworm" 

 (De Bombyce, 1669) ; and on the "Development of the Chick" (De 

 Formatione Pulli in Ovo and De Ovo Incubato, both in 1672). 



We then pass to the "Systema Naturae" (twelve editions, 1735- 

 1768), of Linnaeus, a work which had wide influence in stimulating 

 activity in the systematic study of botany and zoology. 



Wolff's "Theoria Generationis," 1759, and his "De Formatione In- 

 testinorum," 1764, especially the latter, were pieces of observation mark- 

 ing the highest level of investigation of development prior to that of 

 Pander and von Baer. 



Cuvier, in "Le Regne Animal," 1816, applied the principles of com- 

 parative anatomy to the entire animal kingdom. 



The publication in 1800 of Bichat's "Traite des Membranes" created 

 a new department of anatomy called histology. 



Lamarck's book, "La Philosophic Zoologique," 1809, must have a 

 place among the great works of Biology. Its influence was delayed for 

 more than fifty years after its publication^ 



The monumental work of von Baer "On Development" (Ueber 

 Entwicklungsgeschichte der Thiere), 1828, is an almost ideal combina- 

 tion of observation and Conclusion in embryology. 



The "Mikroscopische Untersuchungen," 1839, of Schwann marks 

 the foundation of the cell-theory. 



