24th May, 2023 12:00
Fine Instruments of Science, Medicine and Books
Darwin, Charles, Nature, Sexual Selection In Relation To Monkeys, 1876
Nature a Weekly Illustrated Journal of Science, vol.XV November 1876 to April 1877London and New York, Macmillan and Co, 1877, Library stamp to title-page , half faux calf, spine worn , boards with plain card boards, edges very chipped, bookblock firmly attached. Internally minor foxing to edges, Darwin's paper, Sexual Selection in Relation to Monkeys [p.18 - p.19],
Charles Darwin was a renowned naturalist, famous for his theory of evolution by natural selection. However, he also made significant contributions to our understanding of sexual selection. Darwin believed that the process of sexual selection could explain many of the features that we see in animals, particularly differences in size, color, and ornamentation between males and females of the same species.
In his paper 'Sexual selection in relation to monkeys,' published in the Nature journal in 1876, Darwin examined the differences between male and female monkeys. He argued that the most striking differences were often related to sexual selection and that this process could explain many of the features that we see in male monkeys, such as large canines, brightly colored skin, and elaborate crests or tufts of hair.
Darwin based his ideas on extensive observations of monkeys in captivity and in the wild, as well as on anatomical studies of their skeletons and musculature. He noted that male monkeys often had much larger canines than females and that these were probably used in fights with other males for access to females. He also observed that male monkeys often had brightly colored skin, which he believed was used to attract females.
Another striking feature that Darwin noted was the presence of elaborate crests or tufts of hair on the heads of male monkeys. He believed that these served as ornaments, which were used to attract females during courtship. He also noted that these crests were often much more elaborate in some species than in others, and suggested that this was because sexual selection had been more intense in these species.
Darwin's paper was an important contribution to the field of evolutionary biology, and helped to lay the groundwork for our modern understanding of sexual selection. Today, scientists continue to study the ways in which sexual selection shapes the behavior and appearance of animals, including monkeys and other primates.
Nature a Weekly Illustrated Journal of Science, vol.XV November 1876 to April 1877London and New York, Macmillan and Co, 1877, Library stamp to title-page , half faux calf, spine worn , boards with plain card boards, edges very chipped, bookblock firmly attached. Internally minor foxing to edges, Darwin's paper, Sexual Selection in Relation to Monkeys [p.18 - p.19],
Charles Darwin was a renowned naturalist, famous for his theory of evolution by natural selection. However, he also made significant contributions to our understanding of sexual selection. Darwin believed that the process of sexual selection could explain many of the features that we see in animals, particularly differences in size, color, and ornamentation between males and females of the same species.
In his paper 'Sexual selection in relation to monkeys,' published in the Nature journal in 1876, Darwin examined the differences between male and female monkeys. He argued that the most striking differences were often related to sexual selection and that this process could explain many of the features that we see in male monkeys, such as large canines, brightly colored skin, and elaborate crests or tufts of hair.
Darwin based his ideas on extensive observations of monkeys in captivity and in the wild, as well as on anatomical studies of their skeletons and musculature. He noted that male monkeys often had much larger canines than females and that these were probably used in fights with other males for access to females. He also observed that male monkeys often had brightly colored skin, which he believed was used to attract females.
Another striking feature that Darwin noted was the presence of elaborate crests or tufts of hair on the heads of male monkeys. He believed that these served as ornaments, which were used to attract females during courtship. He also noted that these crests were often much more elaborate in some species than in others, and suggested that this was because sexual selection had been more intense in these species.
Darwin's paper was an important contribution to the field of evolutionary biology, and helped to lay the groundwork for our modern understanding of sexual selection. Today, scientists continue to study the ways in which sexual selection shapes the behavior and appearance of animals, including monkeys and other primates.
