John Ruskin as Zoologist

A study is made of John Ruskin's work in the field of zoology. It is demonstrated that Ruskin's early interest in zoology was connected with his study of ornament, whilst his later studies are connected with his Oxford teaching and his social work. Ruskin's interest in zoology concerned groups frequently represented in art (particularly birds and snakes). Of these groups he studied, in a fragmentary way, the artistic morphology, the life-habits, the particular position to art and literature, and the mythological signification. Besides that, his natural history teaching was focussed on the protection of animals and respect for nature.