Aristotle's "History of Animals" analyzes the "differences" that exist in the animal kingdom, focusing on parts, activities, ways of life, and character, laying the groundwork for establishing the causes of these differences, which are investigated in his other zoological works. More than 500 animal species are examined: crustaceans, insects, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, including human beings.
In Books I–IV, Aristotle provides a comparative review of internal and external body parts, including tissues and fluids, as well as sensory capabilities and voice. Books V–VI study reproduction methods, reproductive habits, and embryogenesis, as well as certain secondary sexual differences. In Books VII–IX, differences between animals in diet, habitat, hibernation, migration, hostilities, and companionship, as well as disposition and intelligence, are examined. This section also describes the human reproductive system, conception, pregnancy, and obstetrics, while Book X defines the contribution of the female nature to generation.
The Loeb Classical Library edition includes three volumes. A complete index for all ten books is included in Volume III.
Related Volumes: Aristotle's biological works also include "Parts of Animals," "Movement of Animals," "Progression of Animals," "Generation of Animals," and significant sections from "On the Soul" and "Metaphysics." Aristotle's general methodology—"first understand the differences, then try to discover the causes"—is applied to the study of plants by his younger colleague and successor, Theophrastus: "Inquiry into Plants" studies differences in the plant kingdom, while "On the Causes of Plants" examines their causes. In the later ancient world, Pliny's "Natural History" and Aelian's "On the Characteristics of Animals" rely significantly on Aristotle's biological work. The only work by a classical author comparable to Aristotle's treatises on animals is Xenophon's "On Horsemanship."
Pages: 432, Year of Publication: 0101, Dimensions: 10.8x10.8cm
