Henry Walter Bates

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Naturalist on the River Amazons figure 32

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Grave of Henry Walter Bates

Henry Walter Bates (8 February 1825 – 16 February 1892) was an English naturalist and explorer who gave one of the first detailed accounts of mimicry in animals. He is most famously known for his expedition to the Amazon rainforest with Alfred Russel Wallace in 1848. During his 11 years in the Amazon, Bates collected over 14,000 species, of which 8,000 were new to science. His work provided significant support for Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Early Life

Henry Walter Bates was born in Leicester, England. From a young age, he had a keen interest in the natural world, which was encouraged by his father, a hosiery manufacturer. Despite his family's modest means, Bates was able to acquire a good education, which further fueled his interest in natural history.

Expedition to the Amazon

In 1848, Bates and Wallace embarked on an expedition to the Amazon to collect specimens and study the region's biodiversity. This journey was inspired by the writings of earlier explorers and the desire to understand the mechanisms of evolution. While Wallace returned to the UK in 1852, Bates remained in the Amazon until 1859. During his time there, he traveled thousands of miles, often under challenging conditions, to collect specimens of insects, birds, mammals, and plants.

Contributions to Biology

Bates's most significant contribution to biology was his observation and analysis of mimicry in Amazonian butterflies. He noticed that certain edible species of butterflies resembled inedible species, which protected them from predators. This phenomenon, known as Batesian mimicry, was one of the first empirical demonstrations of natural selection in action. Bates published his findings in a paper titled "Contributions to an Insect Fauna of the Amazon Valley" in 1861, which garnered significant attention from the scientific community.

Later Life and Legacy

After returning to England, Bates wrote "The Naturalist on the River Amazons," a detailed account of his travels and discoveries in the Amazon, which became a classic of Victorian literature and natural history. He continued his scientific work, becoming a respected expert in entomology and serving as the assistant secretary of the Royal Geographical Society.

Bates's work in the Amazon and his contributions to the understanding of mimicry and natural selection have left a lasting legacy in the fields of biology and ecology. His observations and analyses are still cited today in discussions of evolutionary theory and biodiversity.

Death

Henry Walter Bates died of bronchitis in London on 16 February 1892. His extensive collections and writings continue to be valuable resources for researchers and naturalists.