My thanks to Les Jessop, M. Eddy, John Awlock (I'm guessing, from the
e-mail address), and Bob Peck for their helpful information and suggestions
concerning early references to human impact/disturbance/degradation of
plants' and animals' natural habitat. Depending on how you define the
question, people have been noting such things since the 15th century, it
seems, and whole books written about early colonists's impact in New
England.
Prof. Jessop's reference to John Ray's Catalogus plantarum circa
Cantabrigium nascentium (1660) is particularly apt since Catesby is thought
to have studied informally under Ray, or at least from his books.
Thanks! It's wonderful to have such wide-ranging expertise on tap
through this listserv.
Best wishes to all,
Leslie
PLEASE NOTE new phone and e-mail
(Ms.) Leslie K. Overstreet
Curator of Natural-History Rare Books
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
P.O. Box 37012
NHB CE-G15 / MRC 154
Washington DC 20013-7012
phone: (202) 633-1176
fax: (202) 633-0219
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.sil.si.edu/libraries/cullman
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