Insects and Flowers [Paperback]

Friedrich G. Barth (Author), M. A. Biederman-Thorson (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 1991 | Series: Princeton Science Library

"This is an absolutely delightful book. Barth, an outstanding sensory physiologist, has written the story of the partnership between insects and flowers with a much needed emphasis on the insects' sensory world."--Bert Hlldobler, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Harvard University "The author's style, excellently conveyed in translation, is sprightly and engaging. Numerous descriptions of experimental procedures and frequent references to the prominent investigators take the book beyond a facts-only' approach."--Alexander F. Motten, The Quarterly Review of Biology "The sometimes bizarre and fantastic ways in which flowers ensure pollination has been the material for numerous excellent books, most of them written from a botanical perspective. There is also, however, an equally interesting zoological side to the story.... Barth's book serves as an introduction to this world of insects and plants, highlighting many recent discoveries about their coevolution."--Bernd Heinrich, Orion Nature Quarterly "Wonderfully interesting.... This book should reach the hands of all kinds of biologists, nature enthusiasts, and those gardeners who wonder about the whys and hows of their growing plants."--Alma L. Moldenke, Phytologia "Once in a long while, a book comes along that is an unqualified delight. Insects and Flowers is such a book.... Examples of flower/insect partnerships are presented in lucid prose reminiscent of the best of Charles Darwin's expositions. This is scientific writing of an uncommonly high order."--R. F. Sutton, The Forestry Chronicle

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr (June 5, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691025231
• ISBN-13: 978-0691025230
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific!, September 8, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insects and Flowers (Paperback)

This book had been recommended by a naturalist from whom I was taking an insect class and I'm really glad I bought it. The pictures (both actual photos and drawings throughout) are terrific - really clear and add a lot to the text. The book walks through everything that goes on in the relationship between plants and insects. Here are just a few of the subjects covered:
- the kaleidescope of flower forms
- self-pollination and cross-pollination
- the pollen grain
- baskets, brushes and sweeping nachines
- nectar
- insects see colors
- bee colors and flower colors
- scent and smelling
- tasting with their feet
- learning and forgetting
- keeping track of time
- evolution of the Bee dance

The writing is very easy to read for the person who is not a scientist like me but who really wants to learn more about what really goes on between insects and plants. It goes deeper than most books but the text doesn't make you feel like you need a scientific dictionary to understand it. Very cool book.