Originally published in 1982, The Masterpiece of Nature examines sex as representative of the most important challenge to the modern theory of evolution. The book suggests that sex evolved, not as the result of normal Darwinian processes of natural selection, but through competition between populations or species - a hypothesis elsewhere almost universally discredited. The book also discusses the nature of sex and its consequences for the individual and for the population, as well as various other theories of sex. Since the value of these theories is held to reside wholly in their ability to predict the patterns of sexuality observed in nature, the book seeks to provide an extensive review of the circumstances in which sexuality is attenuated or lost throughout the animal kingdom, and these facts are then used to weigh up the merits of the rival theories. This book will be of interest to researchers in the area of genetics, ecology and evolutionary biology.
World's Greatest Wonders is an illuminating visual guide to 30 stunning man-made and natural wonders—with annotated 3-D reconstructions and cutaway models from various stages in human development that allow you to journey right to the heart of each of them. We live on a unique planet. The only one that we know of that has life. Amidst the budding civilizations and testaments to human creativity and ingenuity, great geological and ecological diversity have surrounded us since humans took their first steps. The Earth has developed into a truly astounding place to live. The clash of the natural forces that sculpted earth’s surface for millions of years has been supplemented by the great creative spirit of human beings, who have built their own wonders. We have before us a whole world, our own to explore and discover, to find and revel in the natural paradises created by the patient hand of nature as well as the astonishing constructions imagined by the genius of humankind. You just have to look around and take in the spectacle. The wonders: Stonehenge, Pyramids of Giza, Valley of the Kings, Petra, Acropolis, Terracotta Army, The Colosseum, Teotihuacán, Nazca Lines, Chichen Itzá, The Moai, Angkor Wat, Machu Picchu, Forbidden City, St. Peter’s Basilica, Taj Mahal, Empire State Building, Sydney Opera House, Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, The Amazon, Iguazu Falls, Sahara, Virunga National Park, Kilimanjaro, Anjajavy, Himalayas, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, and Tongariro. See the best of human and natural creation in the World's Greatest Wonders.
Capture the Natural World with Vibrant Works of Art Nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett has hiked through countless forests with her sketchbook and watercolors, documenting the plants, animals and landscapes that she encounters. She has also taught tens of thousands of students to paint and appreciate nature’s beauty through her popular online classes and in-person workshops. In this book, Rosalie provides step-by-step instruction on how to paint 20 realistic insects, fungi, birds, botanicals and mammals in her vibrant wet- on-dry watercolor style. Pick up the skills you need to become a better observer in the outdoors, take your own reference photos and paint a wide variety of subjects so that you can continue to draw inspiration from nature long after you finish the projects in this book. You’ll also learn some fun nature facts along the way! Whether you’re a total beginner or ready to take your skills to the next level, Rosalie is here to walk you through every step of the process.
With pages of spectacular photographs, this book pays homage to the powerful forces that shape our planet--fire, ice, water, and wind--revealing extraordinary landscapes and breathtaking geological features. These images, of geysers spewing scalding water, glaciers chiseling out the mountainsides, and red-hot molten lava exploding, demonstrate how Earth's appearance resulted from the incessant, powerful activity of nature and climate change. The portrait that emerges from this exceptional journey captures a living, endlessly changing, world.
"Durer's drawings and watercolours show the artist at his most accessible, revealing his techniques and the masterly use of his media. No woodcut engravers, printers or apprentices come between Durer and the viewer. This contributes to the particular fascination of such sheets as The Large Piece of Turf or Hare. The introductory essay, portraying Durer as a passionate observer of his surroundings and an exceptionally gifted artist, is followed by thirty-five, high-quality reproductions of his most popular drawings and watercolours."--Jaquette
Art meets science in this far-reaching catalogue of botanical illustration. Drawn from the vaults of the National Library of Vienna, these exquisite color reproductions range from 6th-century manuscripts to 19th-century masterpieces and celebrate both the skill of botanical artists and the abundance of natural flora.
The collection of natural mineral crystals housed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science is the finest and best known in the world. Now the treasures of this singular collection are shown in resplendent photographs that will seduce both the connoisseur of beauty and the student of natural history.
The Modern And Fresh Layout Of '100 Wonders' Uses Excellent Photography And A Map For Each Entry To Discover The Most Interesting And Beautiful Places In The World. Packed With Facts, Files, History, And Stories Covering Natural Wonders And Stunning Archi