The Naturalist on the River Amazons

work by Bates

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July 1, 2026

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The Naturalist on the River Amazons is a seminal work by British naturalist H.W. Bates. Published in two volumes in 1863, the book details Bates's extensive explorations of the Amazon River valley between 1848 and 1859. During his eleven years in the region, Bates collected approximately 14,712 species, many of which were previously unknown to science, primarily insects.12

Bates's work provided crucial support for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. He is particularly renowned for his observations on mimicry in insects, where harmless species imitate dangerous ones to avoid predators. This phenomenon, now known as Batesian mimicry after its discoverer, demonstrated the practical application of natural selection in the natural world.134

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Amazon River
Early European exploration
His book The Naturalist on the River Amazons, originally published in two volumes in 1863, is still regarded as one of the great classics on the Amazon River. An official expedition was sent from the United States to Amazonia in the mid-19th century; in 1854 in Washington,…
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His book The Naturalist on the River Amazons, originally published in two volumes in 1863, is still regarded as one of the great classics on the Amazon River. An official expedition was sent from the United States to Amazonia in the mid-19th century; in 1854 in Washington,…
Read More