Tells the story of the modern discovery of biodiversity. This work argues that the work begun by Linnaeus culminated around 1900, when collecting and inventory were organized on a grand scale in natural history surveys.

These popular pursuits engendered a wide scientific interest in animals and plants and inspired wealthy nature-goers to pay for expeditions. The modern discovery of biodiversity became a reality when scientists' desire to know intersected with the culture of outdoor vacationing. General readers as well as scholars will find this book fascinating.

List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi


CHAPTER ONE: Nature 1
Natural History Survey 10
Inner Frontiers 17
Twilight Zones 30
Impressions 37
Conclusion 45


CHAPTER TWO: Culture 47
Nature-Going 50
Middle-Class Vacation: From Leisure to Recreation 56
Recreation and Natural Science 67
Nature Essay and Diorama 73
The Science of Art 82
Conclusion 88


CHAPTER THREE: Patrons 91
Natural History Surveys 94
Museum Exhibition and Collecting 107
Museum Collecting: An Overview 117
Research Museums and Their Patrons 123
Conclusion 134


CHAPTER FOUR: Expedition 137
The Field Party 139
System 149
Communication 154
Infrastructure 162
Mobility and Automobility 172
Conclusion 180


CHAPTER FIVE: Work 182
Work and Skill 183
Pleasures 192
Pains 197
Careers 205
Women in the Field 215
Identity 220
Conclusion 225


CHAPTER SIX: Knowledge 227
Species and Survey Collecting 231
Taxonomists: A Natural History 239
Subspecies and Practice 245
Subspecies: The History 253
Subspecies in Crisis 264
Conclusion 269


CHAPTER SEVEN: Envoi 271
From Collecting to Observing 272
A Changing World 278
Biodiversity Revisited 282


Abbreviations 287
Notes 289
Selected Bibliography 345
Index 357