Henry Walter Bates Libri

This book showcases the two journals produced by entomologist Henry Walter Bates during his groundbreaking travels and discoveries in the Amazon from 1848 to 1859, on which his classic work The Naturalist on the River Amazon, was based. It includes facsimile reproductions of stunning illustrated pages taken from his Amazon journals, as well as an essay describing his travels. The journals reveal how a self-taught naturalist and butterfly enthusiast had a profound impact on the science of evolution. Bates, a trusted companion of Alfred Russel Wallace, traveled with him to the Amazon in 1848. There he became fascinated by close similarities in appearance between unrelated butterflies, and discovered a scientific phenomenon we now refer to as Batesian mimicry: species that are highly desirable to predators began evolving to look more like other, more toxic species in order to avoid predation. Bates spent a total of 11 years in the Amazon; when he returned to England, he had collected, by his own estimate, some 14,000 species of insects, of which no less than 8,000 were previously unknown. This book offers valuable new insight into the scientific implications and findings of Henry Walter Bates's rich and fruitful time in the Amazon, and it is the ideal book for anyone interested in science, scientific history, and science illustrations.--Adapted from the publisher's website

This travelogue combines literary flair with scientific exploration, offering a unique perspective on natural history. Celebrated by Darwin as a premier work in the genre, it captures the essence of various landscapes and ecosystems, merging personal experiences with detailed observations. The narrative invites readers to journey through diverse environments, highlighting the interplay between nature and human experience.

Focusing on the adventures of a naturalist in the Amazon, this volume captures the rich habits of wildlife and provides detailed sketches of Brazilian flora and fauna. The narrative offers a vivid exploration of the region's biodiversity and the author's firsthand experiences during his travels. As a high-quality reprint of the original 1863 edition, it preserves the historical insights and observations that highlight the natural wonders of the Amazon rainforest.