The Growth of Taxonomy in the Scientific Revolution

Taxonomy was the biology of the scientific revolution. The opening up of the New World and the Far East provided European scientists with thousands of new species to examine and classify. Establishing botanical gardens, menageries and 'cabinets' of minerals, preserved animal specimens and dried plants were favourite hobbies amongst wealthy collectors. And since the natural sciences were not yet fully recognised by university faculties, these studies remained in the hands of amateurs. Of 48 natural history laboratories in eighteenth-century Paris, seven belonged to women

In the seventeenth century the newly-invented microscope was turned on insects, revealing for the first time their fascinating anatomy, complex life-cycles and modes of reproduction. Entomology was soon added to the list of subjects seriously studied by women. Most women naturalists stayed at home, classifying the plants and animals of their own locale, or those sent to them from abroad. But some women travelled, enriching their expeditions with botanical and zoological studies.

Notes:

Many women became botonists and entomologist during this time.

Folksonomies: science history

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Hypatia's Heritage (Beacon Paperback, 720)

Books, Brochures, and Chapters>Book: Alic , Margaret (1986-11-15), Hypatia's Heritage (Beacon Paperback, 720), Beacon Press, Retrieved on 2011-04-12

Folksonomies: history science feminism science history