Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/799

 Progress of Modern Science and Invention 599 gives some idea of our new knowledge of man thousands of years before the Greeks and Romans came on the scene and which at the same time attempts to give the reader a grasp of very recent occurrences) to leave out many things that were in. the older textbooks. It has been the object of the authors to tell only the very important things that one must know in order to see how man has reached his present stage. They put nothing in just because it happened, but include only the matters that are abso- lutely essential in tracing man's general progression from the Early Stone Age to the readjustment of Europe that took place after the World War. QUESTIONS I. How did the growth of the science of geology change men's ideas? What is meant by the theory of evolution? When was it first advanced ? What contribution did Darwin make to it ? Why was it opposed? What has the chemist contributed to civilization? How did the discovery of radium affect our views of matter ? II. What is the cell theory in biology? What can you tell of bacteria ? Describe various steps in the development of the science of medicine. Why should governments give more attention to scientific discovery and its promotion? What departments of our government are devoted to the increase of scientific knowledge ? III. How has history been extended back? What arguments can you give for special attention to recent history ? Illustrate the manner in which history enables us to understand the present. Give some examples of the way in which your own history explains your present situation and interests.