The Romance of Natural History, Second Series

"The Romance of Natural History, Second Series" by Philip Henry Gosse is a scientific publication likely written in the mid-19th century. The work explores the fascinating relationship between natural history and human perception, focusing on the themes of extinction and the marvels of the natural world, with an emphasis on the ancient and extinct species that once roamed the Earth. Through a blend of scientific inquiry and narrative, Gosse illustrates the dynamic and evolving history of life on our planet. At the start of the work, the author reflects on the poignant subject of species extinction, comparing the death of individual animals to the broader tragedy of entire species vanishing from existence. Gosse discusses various extinct creatures, highlighting their unique characteristics and the implications of their demise for biodiversity and the environment. He also describes ancient habitats and contrasting climates that have changed over time, setting up an exploration of the relationships between man, animals, and the geological processes that have shaped life on Earth. This opening sets a thoughtful and inquisitive tone, inviting readers to ponder the fragility of life and the natural world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Philip Henry Gosse, known to his friends as Henry, was an English naturalist and populariser of natural science, an early improver of the seawater aquarium, and a painstaking innovator in the study of marine biology. Gosse created and stocked the world's first public marine aquarium at London Zoo in 1853, and coined the term "aquarium" when he published the first manual, The Aquarium: An Unveiling of the Wonders of the Deep Sea, in 1854. His work was the catalyst for an aquarium craze in early Victorian England.