In History of Animals Aristotle analyzes "differences"--in parts, activities, modes of life, and character--across the animal kingdom, in preparation for establishing their causes, which are the concern of his other zoological works. Over 500 species of animals are considered: shellfish, insects, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals--including human beings.

In Books I-IV Aristotle gives a comparative survey of internal and external body parts, including tissues and fluids, and of sense faculties and voice. Books V-VI study reproductive methods, breeding habits, and embryogenesis as well as some secondary sex differences. In Books VII-IX, Aristotle examines differences among animals in feeding; in habitat, hibernation, migration; in enmities and sociability; in disposition (including differences related to gender) and intelligence. Here too he describes the human reproductive system, conception, pregnancy, and obstetrics. Book X establishes the female's contribution to generation.

The Loeb edition of History of Animals is in three volumes. A full index to all ten books is included in the third (Volume XI of the Aristotle edition).

The Loeb Classical Library® is a registered trademark of the Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College.

Read More by Aristotle:

• Aristotle, I, Categories. On Interpretation. Prior Analytics
• Aristotle, II, Posterior Analytics. Topica
• Aristotle, III, On Sophistical Refutations. On Coming-to-be and Passing Away. On the Cosmos
• Aristotle, IV, Physics: Books 1-4
• Aristotle, V, Physics: Books 5-8
• Aristotle, VI, On the Heavens
• Aristotle, VII, Meteorologica
• Aristotle, VIII, On the Soul. Parva Naturalia. On Breath
• Aristotle, IX, History of Animals: Books 1-3
• Aristotle, XI, History of Animals: Books 7-10
• Aristotle, XII, Parts of Animals. Movement of Animals. Progression of Animals
• Aristotle, XIII, Generation of Animals
• Aristotle, XIV, Minor Works: On Colours. On Things Heard. Physiognomics. On Plants. On Marvellous Things Heard. Mechanical Problems. On Indivisible Lines. The Situations and Names of Winds. On Melissus, Xenophanes, Gorgias
• Aristotle, XV, Problems: Books 1-21
• Aristotle, XVI, Problems: Books 22-38. Rhetorica ad Alexandrum
• Aristotle, XVII, Metaphysics: Books 1-9
• Aristotle, XVIII, Metaphysics: Books 10-14. Oeconomica. Magna Moralia
• Aristotle, XIX, Nicomachean Ethics
• Aristotle, XX, Athenian Constitution. Eudemian Ethics. Virtues and Vices
• Aristotle, XXI, Politics
• Aristotle, XXII, Art of Rhetoric
• Aristotle, XXIII, Poetics. Longinus: On the Sublime. Demetrius: On Style

Read More by A. L. Peck:

• Aristotle, IX, History of Animals: Books 1-3
• Aristotle, XII, Parts of Animals. Movement of Animals. Progression of Animals
• Aristotle, XIII, Generation of Animals