Comments on: Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) http://www.dailymammal.com/proboscis-monkey-nasalis-larvatus/ 5,000 Mammals, One Day at a Time Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:39:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jennifer Rae Atkins http://www.dailymammal.com/proboscis-monkey-nasalis-larvatus/comment-page-1/#comment-592 Jennifer Rae Atkins Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.thedailymammal.com/?p=234#comment-592 Good questions, Clare. I don't know of any affectionate naturalists, but surely there are some. I'll let you know if I run across any, and will you do the same for me?<br/><br/>I'm also not sure how to account for the harshness of their language. On the one hand, it's vivid to complement their drawings; they didn't have photos or films to share with us. But on the other hand, it would be possible to be vivid without calling the animals you're observing "vile" or "horrible"! It's so judgmental! Maybe it's all just wrapped up in romantic dichotomies of nature: wild/pure, scary/beautiful. What do you think? Good questions, Clare. I don’t know of any affectionate naturalists, but surely there are some. I’ll let you know if I run across any, and will you do the same for me?

I’m also not sure how to account for the harshness of their language. On the one hand, it’s vivid to complement their drawings; they didn’t have photos or films to share with us. But on the other hand, it would be possible to be vivid without calling the animals you’re observing “vile” or “horrible”! It’s so judgmental! Maybe it’s all just wrapped up in romantic dichotomies of nature: wild/pure, scary/beautiful. What do you think?

]]> By: Clare http://www.dailymammal.com/proboscis-monkey-nasalis-larvatus/comment-page-1/#comment-590 Clare Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:09:00 +0000 http://www.thedailymammal.com/?p=234#comment-590 Early naturalists sometimes seem very unimpressed by the wonders of nature. Here's Mary Kingsley on gorillas:<br/><br/>"I have no hesitation in saying that the gorilla is the most horrible wild animal I have seen. I have seen at close quarters specimens of the most important big game of Central Africa and, with the exception of snakes, I have run away from all of them; but although elephants, leopards and pythons give you a feeling of alarm, they do not give that feeling of horrible disgust that an old gorilla gives on account of its hideousness of appearance." <br/><br/>Any thoughts on why they would see fit to be so harsh about God's creations? And are there any naturalists particularly known for their affection towards all creatures? Early naturalists sometimes seem very unimpressed by the wonders of nature. Here’s Mary Kingsley on gorillas:

“I have no hesitation in saying that the gorilla is the most horrible wild animal I have seen. I have seen at close quarters specimens of the most important big game of Central Africa and, with the exception of snakes, I have run away from all of them; but although elephants, leopards and pythons give you a feeling of alarm, they do not give that feeling of horrible disgust that an old gorilla gives on account of its hideousness of appearance.”

Any thoughts on why they would see fit to be so harsh about God’s creations? And are there any naturalists particularly known for their affection towards all creatures?

]]> By: Jennifer Rae Atkins http://www.dailymammal.com/proboscis-monkey-nasalis-larvatus/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Jennifer Rae Atkins Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:22:00 +0000 http://www.thedailymammal.com/?p=234#comment-587 You mean William Jardine's, right? Isn't it, though? But also kind of cute in a way. Such a funny expression on his face. You mean William Jardine’s, right? Isn’t it, though? But also kind of cute in a way. Such a funny expression on his face.

]]> By: Julia http://www.dailymammal.com/proboscis-monkey-nasalis-larvatus/comment-page-1/#comment-586 Julia Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:22:00 +0000 http://www.thedailymammal.com/?p=234#comment-586 That illustration is fantastically creepy. That illustration is fantastically creepy.

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