G. Evelyn Hutchinson

George Evelyn Hutchinson (1903–91) was an Anglo-American zoologist, limnologist and ecologist who wrote extensively on a broad range of areas. In this book, which was first published in 1936, Hutchinson presents a beautifully written description of the places visited during the course of the Yale North India Expedition of 1932. The text focuses mainly on Hutchinson's experiences in Goa and Ladakh, providing abundant information on the culture and history of these regions. Numerous illustrative figures and a detailed notes section are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in India, Tibet and travel writing.

During the twentieth century, ecology evolved from a collection of natural history facts to a rigorous, analytical discipline with a rich body of theory. No single person is more responsible for this change than G. Evelyn Hutchinson. This collection of selected writings showcases Hutchinson’s dynamic and wide-ranging mind as well as his keen wit. Original essays by scientists and historians underscore the continuing relevance of Hutchinson’s ideas.

In this delightful collection of essays, the author of The Enchanted Voyage and The Itinerant Ivory Tower turns his attention to the influence of environment on evolution. His discussion of the nature of the terrestrial environment we know leads to an account of possible ecological conditions on other bodies in the universe. Mr. Hutchinson also deals specifically with some influences on man’s evolution, emphasizing the extremely recondite nature of these forces. One of the other pieces looks at the relationship of natural beauty to works of art, particularly in the context of comparisons between natural history museums and art galleries. The final essay, “The Cream in the Gooseberry Fool,” is an entertaining account of an English country clergyman’s work with the European magpie moth, which resulted in one of the most significant early discoveries in genetics. The treatment throughout requires no technical learning, though the most important and modern theoretical results are cited in the footnotes.