ZOOLOGY. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Definition of Zoology. — The study of nature comprises 
the examination both of minerals and of living beings, i.e., 
plants and animals. Every natural object in this world 
which is lifeless belongs to the mineral kingdom: such are 
rocks, soils, water, air, and gas. Since plants and animals 
live and grow and have organs, or distinct parts which per- 
form acts called functions, as the eye which sees, the hand 
whicli grasps, etc., all living beings are said to be organic, 
and all mineral bodies are said to be inorganic. It is cus- 
tomary to speak of the Mineral Kingdom, the Vegetable 
Kingdom, and the Animal Kingdom; but it is better to 
speak of the inorganic and the organic worlds, since all liv- 
ing beings or organisms have much in common which 
distinguishes them from mineral substances. 
The study of plants is called Botany^ and the study of 
animals Zoology; while the study of living beings in gen- 
eral, whether plants or animals, is termed Biology, which 
means the science of living beings. 
Method of Study. — We study an animal, if it be a Jog, 
for example, by observing its form, noticing its head, trunk, 
its four legs, etc. After a long and patient examination of 
the outer body we dissect it, examining the heart, stomach, 
brain and nerves, etc., and the skeleton. After a thorough 
study of a single specimen we should then compare it with 
a cat, and thus make our studies comparative. After such 
