viii FOREWORD 



applications of modern biology in the daily life of the student, for 

 it is this sort of work that has the greatest appeal. 



The chief difficulty is not so much in knowing what to teach as 

 in knowing what not to teach. The topics included in this book 

 are those considered most vital in a well-rounded course in ele- 

 mentary biology directed toward civic betterment. The physio- 

 logical functions of plants and animals, the hygiene of the indi' 

 vidual within the community, conservation and the betterment of 

 plant and animal products, the big underlying biological concepts 

 on which societ}^ is built, have all been used to the end that 

 the pupil rudij become a better, stronger, and more unselfish citizen. 



At the beginning of each of the following chapters (except the 

 first and the last) are a series of suggested problems. These 

 should serve as a review of the chapter for both teacher and stu- 

 dent. They constitute, to a degree, the ke}^ which opens the way 

 to the understanding of the chapter. Following the problems 

 are laboratory suggestions, many of which are worked out fully 

 in Hunter's Laboratory Problems in Civic Biology. 



At the end of each chapter is a list of books which have proved 

 their usefulness either as problem and project references for stu- 

 dents or as aids to the teacher. Most of the books mentioned are 

 within the means of the small school. 



For a general introduction to physiological biology, Sedgwick 

 and Wilson, General Biology, Henr}^ Holt and Company ; Needliam, 

 General Biology, Comstock Publishing Company ; and Shull, Prin- 

 ciples of Animal Biology, The IMcGraw Hill Company, are most 

 useful and inspiring books. 



One book stands out from the pedagogical standpoint as most 

 helpful. It is Twiss, Principles of Science Teaching, The Mac- 

 millan Company. Other books of value from the teacher's stand- 

 point are Curtis, Investigations in the Teaching of Science, P. 

 Blakiston's Son and Compam^ ; Frank, " How to Teach General 

 Science, P. Blakiston's Son and Company ; Hodge, Nature Study 

 and Life, Ginn and Company ; Downing, Teaching Science in the 

 Schools, University of Chicago Press ; Brownell and Wade, The 

 Teaching of Science, The Century Company ; Ganong, The Teach- 

 ing Botanist, The Macmillan Company; and Eikenberry, The 

 Teaching of General Science, University of Chicago Press. 



