Chapter I: Page

An Outline of the Rise of Biology and of the Epochs in its
History, 3

Notable advances in natural science during the nineteenth century, 3.
Biology the central subject in the history of opinion regarding
life, 4. It is of commanding importance in the world of science,
5. Difficulties in making its progress clear, 5. Notwithstanding
its numerous details, there has been a relatively simple and
orderly progress in biology, 6. Many books about the facts of
biology, many excellent laboratory manuals, but scarcely any
attempt to trace the growth of biological ideas, 6. The growth
of knowledge regarding organic nature a long story full of human
interest, 7. The men of science, 7. The story of their aspirations
and struggles an inspiring history, 8. The conditions under
which science developed, 8. The ancient Greeks studied nature
by observation and experiment, but this method underwent
eclipse, 9. Aristotle the founder of natural history, 9. Science
before his day, 9, 10. Aristotle's position in the development of
science, 11. His extensive knowledge of animals, 12. His scientific
writings, 13. Personal appearance, 13. His influence, 15.
Pliny: his writings mark a decline in scientific method, 16. The
arrest of inquiry and its effects, 17. A complete change in the
mental interests of mankind, 17. Men cease to observe and indulge
in metaphysical speculation, 18. Authority declared the
source of knowledge, 18. The revolt of the intellect against these
conditions, 19. The renewal of observation, 19. The beneficent
results of this movement, 20. Enumeration of the chief epochs
in biological history: renewal of observation, 20; the overthrow
of authority in science, 20. Harvey and experimental investigation,
20; introduction of microscopes, 20; Linnæus, 20; Cuvier,
20; Bichat, 21; Von Baer, 21; the rise of physiology, 21; the
beginnings of evolutionary thought, 21; the cell-theory, 21; the
discovery of protoplasm, 21.

CHAPTER II

Vesalius and the Overthrow of Authority in Science, 22

Vesalius, in a broad sense, one of the founders of biology, 22.
A picture of the condition of anatomy before he took it up, 23.
Galen: his great influence as a scientific writer, 24. Anatomy in the
Middle Ages, 24. Predecessors of Vesalius: Mundinus, Berangarius,
Sylvius, 26. Vesalius gifted and forceful, 27. His impetuous
nature, 27. His reform in the teaching of anatomy, 28.
His physiognomy, 30. His great book (1543), 30. A description
of its illustrations, 30, 31. Curious conceits of the artist, 32.
Opposition to Vesalius: curved thigh bones due to wearing tight
trousers, the resurrection bone, 34, 35. The court physician, 35.
Close of his life, 36. Some of his successors: Eustachius and
Fallopius, 36. The especial service of Vesalius: he overthrew
dependence on authority and reëstablished the scientific method
of ascertaining truth, 37, 38.