How Wallace and Bates revolutionised natural history
A small display of Henry Walter Bates’ beetles.
| Photo Credit: Natural History Museum: Coleoptera Section / Wikimedia Commons
A domain of inquiry, natural history is the interdisciplinary research and study of organisms. When we say organisms, it includes the entire gamut of living beings, be it plants, animals, fungi, and even microorganisms. Natural history focuses on the life cycles, behaviours and relationships of these organisms in their natural environment.
Serving as a bridge between the scientific study of organisms and the appreciation of nature, natural history leans more towards observational studies, than over experimental methods or manipulation. This means that natural history emphasises more on direct observation and classification of beings.
Published – April 26, 2026 07:45 am IST
