A Book of Natural History

David Starr Jordan's "A Book of Natural History" offers a broad exploration of the natural world. Here's a breakdown of what the book likely covers:

• Classification Systems: The book likely dives into the ways scientists categorize the vast array of life on Earth, from the tiniest bacteria to towering trees. This might involve exploring concepts like kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.
• Kingdoms of Life: Jordan likely explores all the major categories of living things, possibly including plants, animals, fungi, protists, and archaea. For each kingdom, he may discuss its defining characteristics, diversity, and ecological roles.
• Animal Exploration: Given Jordan's expertise in fish (ichthyology), the book might delve deeper into the animal kingdom, particularly fishes. It could explore their anatomy, evolution, and the fascinating variety of fish species.
• Beyond Animals: While animals might get a prominent spot, the book likely also explores other kingdoms like plants, highlighting their structures, adaptations, and significance in the biosphere.