Biology

[From Gr. bios, life, and logos, discourse.] In its most general sense, the science which comprehends everything relating to the phenomena of life, whether animal or vegetable. In a more restricted application, the term is synonymous with that of General Physiology and is therefore confined to the study of the acts manifested by living organized beings. The latter definition, however, has not appeared logical to the best of our modern scientists, who have seen in the introduction of this word a happy idea, the application of which unites under one and the same head all that relates to the study and science of life. Biom'etry. [From Gr. bios , life, and metrom , measure.] (Math.) A term sometimes applied to that branch of science which treats of, or has reference to the doctrine of life-probability, long levity, calculation of annuities, and the like.