notsophiesworld:
““When a butterfly has to look like a leaf, not only are all the details of a leaf beautifully rendered but markings mimicking grub-bored holes are generously thrown in. ‘Natural selection’, in the Darwinian sense, could not explain...

notsophiesworld:

“When a butterfly has to look like a leaf, not only are all the details of a leaf beautifully rendered but markings mimicking grub-bored holes are generously thrown in. ‘Natural selection’, in the Darwinian sense, could not explain the miraculous coincidence of imitative aspect and imitative behavior, nor could one appeal to the theory of the ‘struggle for life’ when a protective device was carried to a point of mimetic subtlety, exuberance, and luxury far in excess of a predator’s power of appreciation. I discovered in nature the nonutilitarian delights that I sought in art. Both were a form of magic, both were a game of intricate enchantment and deception.”

From Diane Ackerman’s amazing book, “A Natural History of the Senses” which I strongly recommend to anyone interested in the poetry of reality. One of my favorite reads of all time.

  1. towatchthestorms reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  2. whatever-pics reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  3. love4toesz reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  4. juggalotown reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  5. stankygouda reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  6. zfa1 reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  7. thetrueauthenticme reblogged this from nicelegsandfeet
  8. tallcalmone reblogged this from notsophiesworld
  9. notsophiesworld posted this
Short URL for this post: https://tmblr.co/ZJo93r21PhG3J