Description
Book SynopsisA unique glance into the early world of science exploration, Kingdom of Ants is a delight to read and filled with intriguing information.
Trade ReviewEdward O. Wilson, one of those rare scientists who can make biology and science history not only readable but entertaining, has written a book that holds the reader's attention from beginning to end. -- Lynne M. Hinkey Internet Review of Books 2011 By coupling excerpts from Mutis's forgotten diaries with recent findings on ant eating habits, reproductive behaviors, and emigration patterns, the authors give new relevance to one of the New World's oldest natural history studies. This interesting writing technique helps readers understand the continual nature of the process of scientific inquiry. Choice 2011 A unique glance into the early world of science exploration, Kingdom of Ants is a delight to read and filled with intriguing information. Southeastern Naturalist 2011
Table of ContentsPrologue
1. Who Was Mutis?
2. The Making of an Eighteenth-Century Naturalist
3. The Scientific Contributions of José Celestino Mutis
4. Mutis Seeks Advice
5. Mutis Begins His Study of Ants
6. Ants Are Transported by Ships
7. Ant Plants and Plant Ants
8. Mutis Learns about the Mule-Train (Leafcutter) Ants
9. Unending Struggles against the Mule-Train Ants
10. Ant Wars
11. Mutis Solves the Mystery of the Nomadic Pataloas
12. Mutis Measures the Size of an Army-Ant Colony
13. Mutis Tracks the Armies of Ants
14. Mutis Studies the Gender of Ants and Makes an Amazing Discovery
15. Mutis' Other Ants
16. How Good a Scientist Was Mutis?
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
