Animal Biology

Abstract

Essentially the author's "Foundations of biology," with the chapters on plants replaced by chapters dealing with representatives of the principal phyla of animals, the scope of the book is best indicated by the 25 chapter headings: The scope of biology, Cellular organization of life, The physical basis of life, Metabolism of organisms, Survey of unicellular organisms, The multi-cellular animal, Survey of invertebrates, The invertebrate body, Survey of vertebrates, The vertebrate body, Nutrition, Respiration, Circulation, Reproduction, Coordination, Origin of life, Continuity of life, Fertilization, Development, Inheritance, Organic adaptation, Descent with change, Biology and human welfare, and Development of biology. There is also an appendix, including a condensed outline of a classification of animals, a bibliography to the chapters, and a glossary, followed by an index. Perhaps the only chapters the contents of which are not sufficiently indicated by the titles are the XXIVth (Biology and human welfare) and the XXVth (Development of biology). The former deals with: A. Medicine, including microorganisms and disease, parasitic worms, and health and wealth; B. Agriculture, including plant and animal food, insects injurious to animals and plants, and beneficial insects; C. Conservation of natural resources; and D. Constructive biology or applied genetics (eugenics). The final chapter is historical, with sections dealing with periods and with the subdivisions of biology. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: J. P. Moore