Post by Islamic Revival on Aug 14, 2004 8:40:44 GMT -5
Al Jahiz was the author of the most famous Arab study of zoology, “Kitab al Hayawan (The Book of Animals)”. It is an encyclopedia spread over seven large volumes. It contains a lot of scientific, as well as superstitions, and proverbs. Al Jahiz discusses his observations in detail on the social organization of ants, animal communication and psychology, and the effects of diet and climate on animals and people. He described how ants store and preserve grain in their nests during the rainy season. He suggested a clever way of getting rid of mosquitoes and flies from a room based on his observation that some insects are responsive to light. Al Jahiz wrote about the degree of intelligence of animal species and insects. He also observed that certain parasites adapt to the colour of their host.
Al Jahiz also refers to the struggle of animals for their existence and their adaptation to the environment, which might have been the inspiration for Darwin’s highly acclaimed work, “The Origin of Species”, and his famous concept of the survival of the fittest. Another study on animals was by Ibn Bakhtyshu who wrote’ “The Uses of Animals” in the 8th century.
Al Asmai made important contributions to zoology, botany, and animal husbandry. He was interested in breeding of horses and camels and was responsible for systematic scientific work on breeding.
In the late 14th century, Kamal al Din al Damari wrote a popular Muslim book, “ The Great Book on the Life of Animals”.
Abu Yahya Zakariyya al Qazwini wrote his encyclopedic work, “The Wonders of Creation”, in the early 14th century C.E. The interest of the Arabs in the breeding of horses and camels, led them naturally into the study of biology, particularly into the branches concerning the habitat, behaviour, and classification of animals. Al Asmai wrote several books on camels, horses, and other animals.
Al Dasiri was a well-known zoologist of Egypt, whose book on animal life, “Hayat al Haywan”, was translated into English in 1906.
The use of plants and their products in medicines primarily induced Muslims to do more scientific work in botany. Ibne Jami, Al Damishqi, Al Biruni, Ibn Sina, Al Nubati, Al Ghafiqi, and Ibn al Baytar are some of the Muslim botanists who explored various regions for plants, and described their characteristics and properties. Ibn al Baytar is considered the greatest Muslim botanist and pharmacist, and his book was considered the best of its kind in the Middle Ages, and was translated into Latin and was widely taught in European universities for a long period.
Reproduced from 2004 calendar by PharmEvo (Pvt.) Ltd.
pharmevo@cyber.net.pk
Al Jahiz also refers to the struggle of animals for their existence and their adaptation to the environment, which might have been the inspiration for Darwin’s highly acclaimed work, “The Origin of Species”, and his famous concept of the survival of the fittest. Another study on animals was by Ibn Bakhtyshu who wrote’ “The Uses of Animals” in the 8th century.
Al Asmai made important contributions to zoology, botany, and animal husbandry. He was interested in breeding of horses and camels and was responsible for systematic scientific work on breeding.
In the late 14th century, Kamal al Din al Damari wrote a popular Muslim book, “ The Great Book on the Life of Animals”.
Abu Yahya Zakariyya al Qazwini wrote his encyclopedic work, “The Wonders of Creation”, in the early 14th century C.E. The interest of the Arabs in the breeding of horses and camels, led them naturally into the study of biology, particularly into the branches concerning the habitat, behaviour, and classification of animals. Al Asmai wrote several books on camels, horses, and other animals.
Al Dasiri was a well-known zoologist of Egypt, whose book on animal life, “Hayat al Haywan”, was translated into English in 1906.
The use of plants and their products in medicines primarily induced Muslims to do more scientific work in botany. Ibne Jami, Al Damishqi, Al Biruni, Ibn Sina, Al Nubati, Al Ghafiqi, and Ibn al Baytar are some of the Muslim botanists who explored various regions for plants, and described their characteristics and properties. Ibn al Baytar is considered the greatest Muslim botanist and pharmacist, and his book was considered the best of its kind in the Middle Ages, and was translated into Latin and was widely taught in European universities for a long period.
Reproduced from 2004 calendar by PharmEvo (Pvt.) Ltd.
pharmevo@cyber.net.pk
