Species endangered (MS-Blog series from) VI / 09

Hawksbill Turtle

• Class: Reptiles
• Order: Cheloniidae
• Latin name: Eretmochelys imbricata
• Range: Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans ; Shallow tropical/subtropical seas, coral reefs, mangrove bays and estuaries
• IUCN Status: CR (Critically Endangered) / Cites: Appendix I

(2009 situation).

All from the living Sea turtles are counted among the oldest of currently existing animals, since earliest known ancestors for them are believed to have distinct from other turtles at least 110 Million years before our times. Likewise comparable to length of that evolutionary history is the species relatively long life-ages; an individual sea turtle can live up to 80 years, in natural circumstances.

Hawksbills 'justified' 'qualify' among the most threatened of sea animals and the level of endangerment isn't much differing in case of the other existing marine turtles. In fact all are threatened from their main surviving family Cheloniidae - that means; Green turtle (Chelonia mydas, EN), Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta, EN), Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii, CR), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea, VU) – the Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus), endemic for 'seas closer Australian continental shelf'' is listed as DD (data deficient). Another family of sea turtles, more evolutionary distant Dermochelyidae, includes as its sole surviving member only (equally Critically Endangered) Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) - The largest from sea turtles, as individual specimen are known to have weighed from 250 kg to almost 1000 kg. (But smaller sea turtle species regularly weight under about 50 kg. To the comparison one can see the estimated size of turtles from Leatherback's extinct co-family, Protostegidae, which included fx Achelon, largest marine turtle and only found from fossil remains – although according to current knowledge they (perhaps) existed in the period of sea turtles early evolutionary beginnings, closely 100 Million years in the past.)

The sea turtle populations are only known by estimates, since they can be only counted from the turtles that come ashore to leave the eggs on breeding seasons(female specimen). As the Hawksbills are widely scattered around the oceans of the world, their nesting sites include sites on the coastlines of at least 58 countries. As turtles often, they are slow breeding reptiles (Hawksbill Turtles reach maturity not until 30 years age). A single turtle can leave about 140 eggs on one clutch in their breeding time, but from that number only few if any reach the maturity age. In addition to human actions, turtles eggs and hatchlings are predated by fx monitor lizards, crabs, dogs and seabirds. The interval between the breeding periods is about 2-3 years.

Since historical times, sea turtle shells have been collected by humans for decorative purposes, like jewelery, ornaments, glasses frames (and in our more luxurious days this has led even for such products as guitars made from turtle shell, like explained on this WWF-page briefly). Although the turtle trade nowadays is prohibited, the illegal market still flourishes. As well, turtles meat (and their eggs) are still preferred food sources in some countries. Also, many of the fishing nets still are 'non-turtle safe' where they get trapped (safer ones are fx those equipped with TEDs - so called turtle excluder devices). A sea turtle has to breath on the surface, otherways it drowns, and although they can sometimes remain hours under surface when sleeping/in rest, if in movement this time gap shortens a lot, for only some minutes.

And, other threats include fx also the marine pollution (marine debris, environmental contamination, etc), erosion of sea-side lands, non-native vegetation, and the destruction of coral reefs from silting and human building purposes, artificial lighting (last mentioned is threat since new-born hatchlings by instinct go towards the brightest source of light, and very often human lights on beaches etc leads them for the opposite direction ie they don't head for the sea) - and, as well diseases like FP (fibropapillomatosis), whose formation is not completely understood (/or: here in MSW a search from its causes fx from Wikipedia didn't return much information/researches post 1995), but likely the main reason is related to human caused pollution on coastal areas. (For more information see fx Aguirre-Lutz(2004)^{Note 1.}, and the other articles found we listed in the end of this, though due the aforementioned reasons we can in this case only advice to check for more recent information as well...) Anyway, in the 1990s the disease was even feared to ultimately cause sea turtles complete extinction, but nowadays is believed that in favorable conditions they (marine turtles) can recover from the disease in question. And...(the list continues) oil spillages for the sea waters of course, which in some parts of the world (middle-East, fx) is major problem. One enlargening harmful co-factor in the recent times has been the increase of tourism, since turtle breeding sites, sandy beaches have often been taken for the use in human purposes (most recently in the tropical coastlines of Asia). Mechanical beach vehicles, even walking can trouble turtles breeding and destroy the eggs/hatchlings. As peaceful beaches have continuously become rarer, also sea turtles nesting sites have declined (in during 20th century).

The effects of global warming on them are not yet known very adequately, but coral bleaching is one consequence believed to lead for losses in their natural habitat, coral reefs. Another, supposable consequence, although yet far less known with certainty is the possible effects from the warming of sea temperatures. For the migrating species, such as the Leatherback turtles, this can possibly cause changes for their usually preferred sea and terrestrial sites. Because the sea water temperature affect for the migratory routes turtles take, it is fx feared to also complicate already difficult conservation efforts - But since that's only researched nowadays, see (fx) "As the Seas Warm" from selected texts below. Also Hawksbills are migratory and one individual turtle can make rather complex journeys during its life-span.

Also, (many) sea turtles are dependant on the seagrass mats, growing close to reefs. Seagrasses are often considered having an important role as 'ecotone' in between the reefs and mangroves growing closer the coastlines, not the least because they have potential to adapt relatively easy for impacts of climate change and offer some protection from other factors, like fx the soil erosion of coasts. However, seagrasses also face several environmental problems, ao in form of declining water quality and chemical pollution, usually caused by herbicides and pesticides originating from coastal agricultural uses.^{Note 2(p. 35-6)} (Question also has some considerable economic importance for humans since fx WWF 'The Coral Triangle"-Report notices the Climate Changes destructive impacts on coral reefs affecting some 150 Million people living in the region of Coral Triangle, about two thirds of them dependent for income coming from the biodiversity of the reefs, commercial fisheries by largest part but also some directly from fishing and from tourism as well. Also, importance of reef as biodiversity rich area is no less remarkable; the fishes, corals, etc., are mentioned appear there with greatest numbers of species worldwide.)^{Note 3(p. 36-43)} Especially concerning the particular one species here, Hawksbill turtle, sea turtles are noticed also having important part in the reefs ecosystems, since their diet often contains various small invertebrates (that somewhat varying between the different species, but includes sponges and mollusks, snails, jellyfish, crabs and seaweed, and also algae). Therefore they have their part to do in the maintenance of healthy coral reefs – fx Hawksbills in various sea areas by controlling the spread of sponges which otherwise can out-compete reef-building corals for space ^{Note 4}.

Human caused pressures for sea turtles probably originate from rather long time, but especially they have been noticed in the recent 50 years time. As result, the Hawksbills are calculated as Critically endangered, mainly because in most of their populations there likely was/is noticed 80 per cent reduction during the past three generations – earlier, until about 1970s species was listed as Endangered. (To the comparison: Supposing turtle average life span about 40 years that would mean about 120 years period. For some other threatened species like fx Cheetahs [Acononyx jubatus, EN] period for the same three generations time is a lot shorter, about 42 years. Often, the time needed for the succesfull recovery may take even more time than that and species with longer time for maturity age naturally take more time to recover from continued overhunting, etc. Of course, doesn't prevent us to mention the Cheetahs being almost as much endangered, and some subspecies are also counted as CR.)

According to estimates in during that about 100 years, some millions of individual Hawksbill turtles were slaughtered for uses of the Europe, United States and Asian markets. Nowadays, as the declining trend has been noticed for some time, the conservation actions include fx establishment of protected areas for the nesting. Also, sea turtle trade was prohibited and species listed in 1970s with Cites appendice I (from the earlier appendice II; however, a largest buyer of tortoise-shell market, Japan didn't ban the shell imports until 1993). Since the international ruling is not always considered as binding agreement in all coutnries, the illegal trade still continues in some parts of the world. And the regular fishing too, which causes large number of turtle deaths, yearly. Juvenile Hawksbill turtles have also been noticed probably more vulnerable to be harmed by fishing nets than some other sea turtles.

All these things considered it appears by no means surprising that they're endangered by most populations. The changes on human use of the seasides would greatly benefit their chances for recovery, fx reduction in the building of new beach sites and/or coastal residents. Since no-one believes that to happen, and can't expect the marine pollution to lessen either, supposedly the protected marine areas and decline in the illegal trade are their best hopes. Not until recent times there probably hasn't been much such conservation areas, similar to those on land (But because we don't claim to hold any uttermost knowledge from the subject/marine conservation, etc, reader is also adviced to view further readings from fx the links/texts selected below.)

And, as we at the moment haven't searched any suitable Hawksbill picture, can possibly finally in this post see that creature swimming in its natural habitat (video from Arkive):

Hawksbill turtle swimming in habitatwww.osfimages.com

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Notes/further reading:

Coral reefs:

[Notes 2 and 3] The Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, people and societies at risk. WWF. (pdf) available fx here.

Fibropapillomatosis(FP):

Herbst, Lawrence H. ; Klein, Paul.A., 1995, “Green turtle Fibropapillomatosis: Challenges to Assessing the Role of Environmental Cofactors”. Environmental Health Perpectives 103:28-30.

[Note 1] Aguirre, A. ; Lutz, P., “Marine Turtles as Sentinels of Ecosystem Health: Is Fibropapillomatosis an Indicator?” EcoHealth 1, 275–283 (2004), doi: 10.1007/s10393-004-0097-3

(summary – obtaining complete text requires payment.)

Mascarenhas, R ; Iverson, P., "Fibropapillomatosis in Stranded Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Paraiba State, Northeastern Brazil: Evidence of a Brazilian Epizootic?", Marine Turtle Newsletter 120:3-6, [2008?]

Marine Turtles:

[Note 4.] Mortimer, J.A. ; Donnelly, M. 2008, Eretmochelys imbricata. IUCN. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009.1. www.iucnredlist.org

Stiles, D., “The Marine Turtle Product Trade in Viet Nam”. Marine Turtle Newsletter 124:6-9, [2009?]
(Also one can check Seaturtle.org for Marine Turtle Newsletters overall and other related information.)

From http://www.swan.ac.uk/bs/turtle/hays_publications2.htm :

(fx:)

"As the Seas Warm". Science 313/2006.(August) [Pdf]

Hays GC, Broderick AC, Glen F, Godley BJ (2003). Climate change and sea turtles: a 150-year reconstruction of incubation temperatures at a major marine turtle rookery. Global Change Biology 9, 642-646. [Pdf]

Aiken JJ, Godley BJ, Broderick AC, Austin T, Ebanks-Petrie G, Hays GC (2001). Two hundred years after a commercial marine turtle fishery: the current status of marine turtles nesting in the Cayman Islands. Oryx 35, 145-151. [Pdf]

...And as additional mention, there's probably a lot from marine turtles at the Mongabay (fx), from where we find fx this article from plastic garbage on seas and it's words of wisdom (by Dr James, some kind of authority on this field apparently): "...hopeful aspect is that humans can easily begin addressing the solution, without major lifestyle changes...it's as simple as reducing packaging and moving towards alternative, biodegradable materials and recycling."


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Species Endangered (MS-Blog Series from) – V / 09

Mammoth

“When aiming to depict a world, that once existed, 30 000 years in the prehistoric past, and from where not any concise written word can't reach our times, one has to rely on: 1. Known facts 2. Conclusions based on those facts 3. Imagination “

(Björn Kúrten, 1984, Mammutens Rådare)^{Transl; W-G.}

• Class: Mammal
• Order: Proboscidea
• Latin name: Mammuthus (Primigenius /Columbi)
• Range: From Mid-Europe to Northern parts of Asia (Siberia) ; North American continent
• Population Status: EX (Extinct), the time varying regionally, about 14000-8000 B.C. on continents [~1700 B.C., on Wrangel island])

(a 2008 situation)

It may feel a bit inconsistent and obscure, that we are including an extinct species in our series. However, there's innumerable animals which have disappeared from the evolutionary continutation in the prehistoric pasts, during millions of years. This renown species particularly we've selected to represent a larger phenomenon, extinctions timed for the end of last ice age (or in wider sense usually described as the Quaternary extinction event). (Our selection) also has reasons from the fact that mammoths are among the better/best known species from that time.

If we now allow ourselves this exception, and it's selected from mammals it has to be the mammoth. At least from the terrestrial animals, from among sea mammals there could possibly be alternative choices. (In fact we might also consider some examples from disappeared insect and reptile species, but on this logic the latter would then have to be a dinosaur and that doesn't really much fit for the ecological or evolutionary limits we're trying to keep...and as well I notice my knowledge from dinosaur consisting from the three earliest parts of Jurassic park...) It seems also we've quite slipped for to present solely mammals since there's now already 4 of the total 6 so far in our series. Nevertheless, not the least because human family tree derives from mammals by origin, I'd still like later to include an example from some sea mammal (likely the whales), one from the carnivorous species and perhaps still yet another one from primates, our closest relatives according the evolutionary theory.



What makes most arguments on behalf selecting mammoth as species in this series is their long common path with humans in prehistory, reaching culturally even the present. In during couple decades mammoths have become a popular subject of many famous novels, most forcefully since the 1980s. The mentioned dinosaur films pushed them little away from spotlight in 1990s, but more recently there's afresh found popularity in films and books, fx such as Stephen Baxter's Silverhair (1999) and the followed novels in the serie (Icebones, Longtusk), which combined the recent knowledge and the mythical status of these animals.



But, not less important, the mammoths strong relationship to humans in (pre)history is found from the cave-paintings and sculpted art (see picture above), also there's many prehistoric tools and objects which are carved from mammoth ivory (as well the vast bone founds, mostly from Siberia, that still make a feasible industry for the specialized handicraft), and – not to forget - of course the archaeological founds, plenty of them made even before the 19^th century. If there had to be one animal species in connected to the humans in the ice-ages, most people would by first impression probably think about mammoths (although, fx deers, horses and as well as perhaps the cave-bears probably may have had equal place in the mythical and spiritual world of those distant ancestors).


Like goes the phrase, mammoths were the 'shaggy beasts' and the mammoth image mostly is settled for the best known/most common species, Mammuthus Primigenius(the wool mammoth). But in fact, they weren't beasts at all, not carnivores but large herbivores¹ that tramped on North-American and Eurasian continents during the recent glaciation periods. Contrary to sometimes misleading belief, mammoths did not inhabit the glaciers which at the time reached from North-pole to middle of those continents, but instead lived on plains that were limiting to the edges of glaciers (areas usually called as the mammoth steppe). In general that steppe is known to have been more rich from plants and animal species than similar areas today, although it was also very harsh from climatic conditions. Its vegetation probably was various enough to offer diet for several large grass-eating herbivores. At least on the southern parts also occasional trees would grow in the middle of grasslands. From preserved mammoths stomachs fx trenches of willows and birch have been found. Various animals lived on steppe, a lot more than are found on todays northern tundras, including deers, reindeers, wolves, and as well carnivorous lion-sized cats. Various smaller species too, fx marmots and lemmings were just a few examples. The mixture of elements from tundra and more temperates grasslands was characteristic for this steppe. Mammoths which were gigantic in proportions, about the same as elephants, are not believed to have had much predators. Possibly few carnivours that could occasionally threaten them were the sabretooth cats (Homotherium ; Smilodon). Injured or young smaller individuals may have gotten for their prey (ao animals), sometimes. Also, mammoth was among the most common species (from that the name, 'mammoth steppe'), only more abundant were horses and prehistoric bisons – the latter also larger in size than the surviving ones today. As is also quite renown, mammoth bones, tooths and skeletons, and even frozen individuals have been found from the Siberian permafrost in numbers (best preserved example being the Dima).


The wool mammoths evolutionary road goes back some 300 000 years when it evolved from the earlier mammoths (preceding species M. Meridionalis originated in warmer latitudes, and as it's successsor then about half million years ago evolved M. Trogontherii). From the latter further evolved the mentioned wool mammoths. On the North-American continent, since about 1.5 M years ago evolved slightly different comparable mammoth species, M.Colombi. It was (considerably) larger than M.Primigenius(wool mammoth was about 2.5 to 3.5 m tall and weighed about 4-6 tons). Also is supposed that M. Colombi might have lived on a bit warmer regions than wool mammoth, though not on the South-American region. With most probability species ranges not overlapped each other, although from some places remains from both have been found, and the wool mammoths skeletons (and frozen ones) have been found also from Alaska. In Any case these two presented the most abundant species before they both disappeared at the end of the latest ice-age, soon after the retreat of glaciers in the continents.


What has still remained somewhat unsolved (and as the most debated from mammoths for decades) is the question from their disappearance. Overally Pleistocene extinctions are known having followed supposed human arrival on various continents which makes a quite convincing argument on human participation on event (see the above Wikipedian link from that). In spite of that, on different continents this may have had more complex reasons too.


A well-known theory (among others) since the 1960s, is so called Overkill-theory, as such somewhat displaced nowadays. It focused largely on mammoths, since its main assumption was from the larger animals having been quickly annihilated by earliest arrivals on American continent, who (supposedly) were big game hunters (as the theory was concerned on N.A. and the first human settlement was earlier believed to date around 11200 B.C.). Originally, theory relied (largely) on founding of Clovis points(/Clovis spear points) first discovered at 1928, and since that from various places at mammoths skeletons and/or close their remains. More recent research has pushed the time of the first settlement further past(basically proves the theory inadequate). Also, Clovis people more likely were typical hunters and relied at least as much for various kinds of smaller prey, including fish, mussels, collecting grains and peanuts. They are known having inhabited large areas from the western part of continent, but little else from the culture is preserved until our times. The spear points have been found all around the Northern America, including Canada which also makes overkill-supposition more unlikely, as only about dozen mammoth kill sites at continent are known with certainty. (Fagan, 2005) So the theory becomes reasonable only if one thinks the arrivals having spread around continent surprisingly fast, and the spear points presenting a highly advanced paleolithic technology compared to preceding methods (of hunters). To certain level they perhaps might, but as the founds are such rare it only proves early humans having killed and eaten mammoths(as well as other herbivores), and as did also fx the Neanderthalians at least 100 000 years ago.


Since the mammoths disappeared only after the most recent glaciation, this also has given some argument on behalf the human causes. However, at the end of the Pleistocene climatic changes are known to have been more dramatic and varying by many ways, fx about 13000 years ago there might have been a sharp decline of several degrees in global temperatures in just couple decades (Lister-Bahn 1994) and 1000 years that followed were a period of cooler climates (in the middle of slow overall warming towards the end of glaciation)(Fagan 2005). That may have had many effects, but fx because the mammoths were large grass-eating animals it is reasonable to suppose that disappearance of ice-age tundra and spread of forests may have diminished their living area - It is also sometimes stated that mammoths might have become out-competed on those fewer remaining plains and grasslands by other herbivores, bisons mostly. The last mammoth populations might have evolved too specialized for the earlier conditions and therefore did not survive post glacial changes.

On the other hand it seems that these species were able to migrate in between regions, as one research notices that there may have been a 'return movement' of wool mammoth populations from the Beringia to Siberia. The likely cause for mammoths return via Beringia, could have been the climatic changes and in any case this seems to support a view from drastic changes in temperatures at the time(reason why the 'newcormers' replaced the earlier Siberian mammoths is not known, likely various possibilities exist). As other studies (DNA-researches) also seem to give an argument that also the populations of bisons in Beringia were affected by climate and declined in genetic diversity, it strenghtens the supposition that the dramatic changes (in climate) may have had serious effects on many species (and their ecological ranges). But even so, it is also often stated that no climate theory can adequately explain the total amount of the large species died out worldwide in about same period of time (the late Pleistocene).

From mammoths is also known that they may have survived somewhat longer on islands than on the continent. Best known example is from the Wrangel Island in Arctic sea, near East-Siberian coast, where the mammoths survived until about 3400 years before the present (most recent timing known they existed anywhere), but finally were – probably – wiped out by human, since human arrival on island has been timed close that (it's not known humans having hunted the mammoths there, though). As well, on St Paul Island near Alaskan coast, the mammoths survived until about 6000 B.C., extinction having followed from natural reasons, since humans are ruled out due that they first arrived on isolated island at 18^th century (Lister-Bahn [2007], p 163). Finally, from the examples of (dwarfed) isolated island mammoths, there is the Channel Islands 'pygmy mammoth' (subspecies M. Exilis), which had evolved to a lot smaller size in islands (during about 40000-20000 years period) after having swam to islands. Sea was then lower and the islands originally larger forming in the ice-age a 'super island', where mammoths would have grazed. It is believed that the disappearance closely correlates to (supposed) human arrival around 12900 years ago(Lister-Bahn [2007], p 160). Although, one feels likely the islands might well have been populated even earlier (how regularly is perhaps less clear). Whatever the most recent knowledge, I think any of preceding still gives only little explanation on behalf or against, since islands are isolated cases by any means. Yet, many believe the survival of several (prehistoric) animal species on islands long after the disappearance on mainland as strong argument (pro human caused event).


More recently (perhaps), as the most likely cause, has been raised the co-effect, where human hunters might have replenished last surviving populations. Seems logical to think so, largely because humans are known having extinct a number of animals, either remnants from earlier abundant populations declined from other reasons(like Steller's Sea Cow, Hydrodamalis gigas, Extinct at 1770s), and/or as well species which may have originally been numerous but vulnerable like Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (last specimen died in captivity, 1914) - though concerning the latter mentioned, it has also been speculated the abundance of the bird having resulted from human caused changes in the ecological balance(Mann, 2005). In both cases, however, when species populations had weakened and become vulnerable the final period of annihilation(human caused) didn't take much longer than some 20-30 years. Even after loss of most of the suitable living habitat, mammoths disappearance would have taken a far longer period of time.


Last mammoths were disappearing from final parts of the Europe around 14000 years ago estimated, and the last founds, from Sweden and Denmark, are timed around 13000 years ago(Nogues-Bravo, 2008). Overally, mammoths vanished from across most of their known range in about 14000-10000 years ago. (But, in the southernmost places, South Europe and China they were gone already about 24000 years past). On the North-America the timing is closer to 11000 ago, supposedly M.Colombi having survived little later (about 500 years) than woolly mammoths.(Lister-Bahn [2007], 146).

Finally, a recent study seems to offer a combined explanation from the climatic and human caused influences, and it presents that major part of the most suitable climatic areas for (woolly) mammoths reduced continuously from 42000-6000 B.C., the species geographic range disappearing about 90 per cent during that time. Humans might have then finished the remaining pockets, where mammoths perhaps could have survived - like they did from earlier glaciation periods. According to that even limited hunting and low human population density might have been sufficient to cause final disappearance. The view is also supported with the last non islands mammoths founds located at northeastern Siberia, in the area classified by model as most suitable remaining living area 6000 B.C. The Wrangel island is believed to present an exception where vegetation and climate resembling ice-age tundra could have remained sometime longer (though according to model it wouldn't have been counted among those best suitable 'pockets' left in about that time, 4000 B.C. (Nogues-Bravo, 2008) Mammoths (species that come in the question here, M. Primigenius and mostly also M. Colombi), were from the evolutionary perspective species that roamed numerous and flourished during past the ice-ages, but it is supposable that whether there had been humans or not, might have after it either disappeared or been forced to adapt for somewhat more limited range/environments. And basically, it seems as most logical conclusion, so forth, case closed (at least for the wool mammoth); 'Increase of anthropogenic impacts in the Holocene are most likely to have been 'coup de grace' that set time and place for the extinction', like concluded in the research.

But since I feel some healthy suspicion - equally for statistics, quantitative analyses and lab-techs - I think it is worth the effort also consider all this from yet another perspective. At least because our series here mostly is focused on the endangered animals, not yet extinct.


As was noted, it is believed mammoths were not adapting for the spread of forests that increased in the end of last glacial, this being a (one) main cause for their disappearance. However, to the contrary it is sometimes assumed that their 'cousins', African savannah elephants (Loxodonta Africana) might have survived the recent (glaciation) periods because of the large forests that also existed in during ice-ages, though somewhat smaller in range. The glaciation(s) affected the African rain forests by reducing their geographic area, but they existed even during the so called glacial maximum (ie coldest period, when the sheets were at their largest). As consequence, todays savannah elephants therefore (supposedly) might have evolved from forest elephants for current species, only after ice-age(s) having populated the savannahs. The view is (was?) based on that from preceding times there is some 2 million year gap in the fossil remains of Loxodonta species (and rain forest conditions effectively prevent the formation of fossil remains). In during the same time Elephas-species were prevailing ones, their disappearance having happened in during those glaciation periods (Gamlin-Rohan, 1996). (The mentioned elephant species most probably include Elephas recki, abundant species in the past and E. antiquus which were found habitating even the European ranges still some 70 000 years ago - I guess there's plenty research about them too, though they seem less studied than mammoths) Be the elephants (recent) evolution and ecological ranges gone that way or not, the supposition doesn't completely hold because a study from current African elephant species DNA (forest and savannah), finds it more likely them being different species, that supposedly a result of the several millions years evolutionary divergence (Eggert-Rasner, 2002).


In any case, it is somewhat interesting because much from what is known about mammoths behavior is assumed by known/observed from the elephants. Also, it seems that both may have been common species in their particular habitat, but the post ice-age period (conditions) shows completely opposite. Not comparable with each other, since the geographic regions much differ and so did the climatic effects, but as mammoths disappeared, the current African elephants populations probably increased (and became as well very successful species in their habitat, like can be read from the following).


According to DNA-researches mammoths were found more related to Indian elephant, (Elephas maximus), but differences in between the three are relatively small. Mammoths fx were similarly slowly reproducing species (for an African elephant, as much cousin for mammoths as Indian, gestation period takes about 2 years, fx), a thing likely to increase species vulnerability. Nowadays less threatened from the two surviving elephant species, African elephant had populations counted in tens of millions still in the beginning of 19^th century. Today, the numbers are around half million specimen (in the early 1970s there were still about 2 million, but as result of increased killing for ivory, the species was conserved in 1990). If one then thinks that about 500-1000 years on most geographic ranges would have been 'needed' for the final days of the mammoths (that a direct following from human caused pressure or not) the similarities in between the two start to seem almost too alarming. In fact, the elephants are actually more in process of rapid endangerment than our prehistoric example ever was. The process only seems somewhat backwards, earlier major hunt largely having reduced their populations already. There's conservation areas today but they can't cover the whole of species ranges and as well the illegal pouching still is mentioned an existing threat.


So, perhaps our effort here was a little too devoted for these most interesting prehistoric questions and distant pasts. But all the same, it of course also quite well reflects that mythical image humans have always felt connected to mammoths. As the species is among the most researched ice-age topics, one feels it also makes quite convenient selection to this series. Even though there are various other (more peculiar) surviving species in existence today (not to forget the colourful frogs, birds, etc). And probably a reader, thousand years from now, would much agree with this last paragraph (not that I would suppose anyone reading this that far, or that being likely even...)

Pic (from Lister-Bahn, 1994) ; Mammoth-engraving in the Rouffignac-cave.

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Notes:

1. (Actually, seems that, we must have stolen that last sentence from somewhere, though I don't quite recollect from where...) But, on the other hand it can be remembered: mammoths were close relatives to elephants, animals that are not just among the most intelligent, but also known as one of the most (potentially) dangerous of them. So, on that basis the image of 'beast' can be argumented although not proven as most correct definition. Also the species huge size and proportions give some grounds for the view from humans point-of-view (not any beast of burden, anyway...)
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Reference (literature):


Lister, A. and Bahn, P, 1994, [2007], Mammoths - the Giants of the Ice-Age.

- Much of this text actually is based on information from the book. It's the best general source, likely. The newer edition contains more up-to-date knowledge and can be viewed on Google's book search (though, I've mostly relied on the older edition, from the reason that it's equally informative). However, one interested from mammoths easily finds lots researches, (also) sometimes from different views / focused on other aspects than the ones presented in the preceding.


Eggert, L.S., Rasner, C.A., Woodruff, D.S., 2002, The evolution and phylogeography of the African elephant inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence and nuclear microsatellite markers. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2002.2070 Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 7 October 2002 vol. 269 no. 1504 1993-2006. (Pdf - here) ; From Royal Society Proceedings (Biology)


Fagan, Brian, 2005, The long summer ; how climate changed civilization. NY.

Gamlin, L. and Rohan, A., 1996, Mysteries of the Rain Forest.


Kurtén, Bjorn, 1984, Mammutens rådare. (Fictional)


Mann, Charles C., 2005, 1491. New revelations of the America's before Columbus. NY.


Nogués-Bravo D, Rodríguez J, Hortal J, Batra P, Araújo MB (2008) Climate Change, Humans, and the Extinction of the Woolly Mammoth. PLoS Biol 6(4): e79. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060079



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MuleSkinner Book Recommendations #19

Weird Tales

^{(a facsimile selection...)}

(By various writers)

-Ed. And foreword by Peter Haining.

264 pages.

Carroll & Graf 1990.

- Collection orig., p. in 1976.

Recommendation 9 /2009

Following our usual custom in favoring the alteration between fiction and popular science/other cultural books, the subsequent review is a collection of horror short-stories. These, notably are more in the realm of the early horror than our more commonly presented literature form(s). And so its kind of natural expansion of our earlier pick from that field, Shelley's Frankenstein. Also to mention (if only briefly) that the legendary magazine short-stories originate from, Weird Tales (W.T.), actually served as earliest mediums for the many important 20th century science-fiction authors (included are – though not with scifi exactly – Edmund Hamilton, Ray Bradbury, Theodore Sturgeon, Fritz Leiber, fx)

Weird Tales was a pulp-magazine, which flourished in the beginning of last century and was popular reading when there yet wasn't television to compete with (and the pulp as medium lived its premium time, 'a golden era of pulp' timed about 1910s-1940(?, perhaps). Pulp was first created (to loan a definition from Peter Hainings forewords) by Frank A. Munsey, who put out a paper magazine for weekly stories with the sole criteria that “story published had to be more valuable than the paper it was printed on”. Horror and fantasy literature were part of pulp publications regular material from the earliest decades. This collection, probably one of fthe first efforts to collect W.T.'s legendary shine in single volume, appeared in 1976 (for the later collections of stories, see the end of this page). Differing from many comparative horror-pulp W.T. was always extraordinary magazine and has remained in the memory long past its times.

If the W.T. was exceptional in its own, so were many from its appreciated writers. Magazines a bit macabre imago was created intentionally to offer something for horror interested public, a feature that likely emphasized its rise and shine in the eyes of its limited buyers/readers at the time. The sales were only marginal and therefore W.T. – according to Hainings foreword – made its fame by keeping strict quality in times when the similar competing editions chose more often tasteless, violent and sexist content to present. Early editors were also able catch many yet less known writers, later to achieve more famous place in the realm of horror, scifi and/or fx that 'Sword-and-magic'-stuff. Forewords also give a pretty good picture from the variety of authors it published in and so we're mostly basing our comments here on Hainings statements.

Not surprisingly some of the best stories in anthology are from renown authors like H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), Ray Bradbury (b. 1920), etc., (Lovecraft was also offered a place as editor of the magazine, although he rejected the offer). But, actually I think among the best there's also several written by more or less unknown names, or, they are now less remembered. Many stories carry the characteristics of being written for the brief magazine form, but sometimes it even makes them better in some sense. Of course usually the main topics are from ghosts-, monsters and superstitious beliefs, latter often typically spiced with voodoo and other such mystification. Nevertheless, among the selected there's almost none boring or dull example from the genre.

From the famous authors each is presented with one story - actually there's one from each author presented, a choice that speaks on behalf the variety of them. Similar 'heavy-weights' to above mentioned include also Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961); with The Garden of Adompha – text from an ancient kings garden where his wizard has spelled plants to grow...horrors. And as well one from creator of Conan, Robert E. Howard (1906-1936) - a dark voodooed early 'action-story' situated in region of southern Illinois(it has rather striking racist tones, typical for Howard and found in several of his other stories too. Other ways Black Hound of Death contains very powerful narration, Howardian tales in his best.) Book also contains a poem by Howard. From magazines other early writers there's Seabury Quinn (1889-1969), who invented detective Jules Le Grandin (amongst the most popular characters at W.T. earliest days). Quinn was also the most popular - and most prolific with his 182 tales - from the early Weird Tales writers.

From others actually the ones most interesting are by less renown writers. Most are equally as good a horror, so I'll just present a list with of some favorite texts: Frozen Beauty (Seabury Quinn); Passing of a God (Henry S. Whitehead); The Valley was still (Manly Wade Wellman) ; The Phantom Slayer (Fritz Leiber, Jr). Ooze (Anthony M. Rud). And others.

Also female writers are well presented from magazines pages - Weird Tales editor from 1940 to 1954 was Dorothy McIlwright, but in stories selected by Farnsworth Wright as well there's some by women, mainly G.G.Pendarves (with The Black Monk, very good one a story) and C.L.Moore (1911-1987). Also, from magazines famous covers most were drawn by female artist, Margaret Brundage (1900-1976), and fx Brundage is also mentioned as the only female cover artist of the Pulp era. From the McIllwright's selections we find Mary Elisabeth Counselman's (d. 1995) Shot-tower ghost, efficient but perhaps bit conventional ghost-tale. Texts from Alison V. Harding and Margaret St. Claire (d. 1995) (The Little red owl)are more psychologically oriented and better therefore I think, especially the latter.

To more underline the novelty of the magazine its editors, Farnsworth Wright mostly, published adverts for readers (from magazines famous writers texts, fx). Intentionally perhaps (It seems to me), were then circulated also rumours of the exceptinal authors, who sometimes really were more strange in their backgrounds. Fx Haining mentions that Whitehead (Henry S., 1882-1932) - who based his stories a lot for the folk-stories from West-Indian islands he had traveled - was presented with authors portrait telling; '...it being widely believed two of his personal friends being werewolves.' From the above mentioned adverts Haining notices that there is a whole variety of life presented on magazines pages. W.T. struggled financially most of its publication time, which also explains this for the most part. But there's really funny side-by-side variety in these ads; some selling included authors back catalog, but also there's adverts from forest jobs, tombstones, law study home courses, portable garage, medicine for asthma, rheumatism, etc. And in between all those advert of the Weird Tales Club, a medium to get together with other fantasy and science-fiction fans, as well as the brief notice for contact if anyone having information from Wendigo, Sasquatch, Pomola, Cadborosaurus, (etc). ...And more of the same. In addition to that this collection also contains some original b/w artworks for the stories.

Finally, like we've repeatedly said, the quality is very good concerning this is stuff written for and published in semi-popular magazine. Even if some of it feels a more conventional in style than it originally was. And I also think much of stuff being that old-fashioned, presenting perhaps less violence and bloodbaths than most later creations makes it also gain some extra points. Basically, its ghouls and more regular 'creatures from behind'. Bats from hell. Wizardry spells, but as well active detectives and 'bush doctors' in case one's interested/in need of popular mysticism of the 1920'/30's. (But, of course we don't wish to give the impression of recommending any of the cults and sorceries related to such things, but presenting these as good popular fiction – just short-stories, horror being their main subject but equally often that's been created from the terrors of the inner mind.)

...and as the other anthologies are sometimes also mentioned equally good selections, I've listed some older published collections, though not in knowing from their level of quality.

----

Other books:

Weird Tales 1-4 (collections), Ed. by Lin Carter, [Zebra books]; (p. 1980, -81, -83.) - Contains earlier unpublished stuff from new writers and selections from magazines classics, probably.

Weird Tales – 32 Unearthed Terrors. Ed. Stefan R. Dziemianowicz - Has a story from each year the magazine was published(1923-1954).

...Probably there's more comprehensive and newer ones also available. The Weird Tales magazine also was revived in 1988 and is still published, it even recently received the Hugo Award.

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21st Century (Rectangle) Box

Mulskinner [Hi-]Tech Review 3/2009

From the front-line of recommended hi-tech, here's now solar charger for mobile phones and small electronic devices.

The product, Solar SJ-2080, isn't quite as stylish and trendy as Solar-mobile would be, but it has many good qualities; fx it can be used to charge most phones on the market - The product comes with USB-cord that suits for the newest phones, for any other there's also various clips and pieces to user's particular phone. Additional benefits are that it can also recharge the battery (simply just open the cover and leave in sunlight) and phone simultaneously. The colour in led-light tells how much the battery is loaded and when its finished. Additionally the battery can charge from electricity grid if needed.

Their advertising it as an travel-charger, but more regular use is recommendable too. Since it shines only occasionally to my particular sanctuary, I try to take most benefit from that when it does. The paper within mentions charging time being about 10 hours, but naturally that's for the optimal conditions, and when cloudy or gloomy the time will be somewhat longer.

But I also noticed at first use that it didn't quite charge as soon as my phones battery run out, but when (solar) charger's battery was ready it permitted recharging phone about 1.5 times (the phone isn't particularly energy-hungry one). Of course, one needs also to find a proper place for the device and in most spots it shines only part of the day.

Even with these few 'barriers' for the lazy customer its useful invention, though the charging remains dependable on weather conditions. Best, of course is that the solar energy is produced carbon-free. Second important point is that the electricity generated with the device also is completely free (of charge). But, I found most reassuring thing that it also frees user from the 'false guilt' from the recklesness doings (and not doings) of the energy companies concerning the renewables development.

Of course, it may be only small effort on behalf the renewables in house-hold energy-use. But, couple decades solar will probably be available for more various electronics (and have become more efficient, too). While waiting for that development to reach MSW, it makes us finally also to wonder about the possibility to add an external solar panel in the device (that would reduce the charging time needed by some hours?). And afterwards it also makes me consider other suitable use for solar panels, though it remains less common in home electronics. But they're becoming more common even in kitchen cooking...

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MuleSkinner Book Recommendation #18

In Search of the Castaways¹

(By Jules Verne, p. 1867-1868)

Recommendation 8 /2009

“On the 26th of July, 1864, a magnificent yacht was steaming along the North Channel at full speed, with a strong breeze blowing from the N. E. The Union Jack was flying at the mizzen-mast, and a blue standard bearing the initials E. G., embroidered in gold, and surmounted by a ducal coronet, floated from the topgallant head of the main-mast. The name of the yacht was the DUNCAN, and the owner was Lord Glenarvan, one of the sixteen Scotch peers who sit in the Upper House, and the most distinguished member of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, so famous throughout the United Kingdom.

Lord Edward Glenarvan was on board with his young wife, Lady Helena, and one of his cousins, Major McNabbs.

The DUNCAN was newly built, and had been making a trial trip a few miles outside the Firth of Clyde. She was returning to Glasgow, and the Isle of Arran already loomed in the distance, when the sailor on watch caught sight of an enormous fish sporting in the wake of the ship. Lord Edward, who was immediately apprised of the fact, came up on the poop a few minutes after with his cousin, and asked John Mangles, the captain, what sort of an animal he thought it was.

'Well, since your Lordship asks my opinion,' said Mangles, 'I think it is a shark, and a fine large one too.'

'A shark on these shores!'

'There is nothing at all improbable in that,' returned the captain. 'This fish belongs to a species that is found in all latitudes and in all seas. It is the 'balance-fish,' or hammer-headed shark, if I am not much mistaken. But if your Lordship has no objections, and it would give the smallest pleasure to Lady Helena to see a novelty in the way of fishing, we'll soon haul up the monster and find out what it really is.'

'What do you say, McNabbs? Shall we try to catch it?' asked Lord Glenarvan.

'If you like; it's all one to me', was his cousin's cool reply.

'The more of those terrible creatures that are killed the better, at all events,' said John Mangles, 'so let's seize the chance, and it will not only give us a little diversion, but be doing a good action.' [….]”

With the above words begins novel selected as our subsequent recommendation. If that's an example of a kind, typical depiction from 19^th century human-nature relationships or just more likely a coincidental incident, imagined by writer to catch readers attention and only there because of exciting and intensified tones needed for first paragraphs is left for reader to decide. The plot then starts up as they found (from sharks belly) a message in the bottle, send by shipwrecked capt. Grant and Glenarvon with his companions then decides to make a search with the purpose of captains rescue.

Contrary to our usually maintained policy, often favoring class society literature, this book mainly belongs to the classic (youth) adventures and related stories. A little exceptional here, since normally we would avoid anything such popular (fiction).

In any case [Jules] Verne (1828-1905) would have made an unsurpassable contender for this series, sooner or later. His place among the most translated author's of the world (only second to Agatha Christie(1890-1976) gives little argument on behalf the choice, multitude of his works and the variety in their subjects more obviously does. The copy we had available had been translated from the honorable 50^th edition published in original language (Surprisingly, in addition to couple Soviet films, from 1936 and 1985(tv-serie), the 1962 Disney flick seems to be the only screening from the story).

The Castaways is basically a typical Vernerian adventure, and we could of course have chosen from plenty other good alternatives: My personal favorites include Off on a Comet (or: Hector Servadac, 1877) and Journey to the Center of the Earth, 1864 (recently refilmed, past filmography contains at least 4 movies and couple a TV-versions). From Verne's less renown earlier books there's also fx the arctic exploration journeys, Adventures of Capt. Hatteras (p 1866), consisting from two parts divided to separate books - The English at the North Pole and The desert of ice. Our selection here, Castaways has for its advocation fx those fine descriptions from the Patagonian plains (Argentinian pampa). Verne in question, famous from a phrase that originates to his childhood and goes something like 'from now on I will only travel in my imagination', it feels presumable that author hadn't actually visited the continent (Though, I've not bothered to check his biography more precisely.) Partly related to that, we also find the Castaways belonging for the series of 'life-like adventures', as in form of plot and incidents there's nothing in the novel that would demand the reader being any Vernerian believer² in need to interpret the books content and themes. Books contents may have been intentionally kept on the limits of popular readers interest, and therefore confined to foreign lands and journeys of the adventurers - also reason may be that it was probably published as some sort of follow-up to Five weeks in Balloon(1963), author's first novel/success in the fiction.

Also, already at the time of the first publication these (series of) novels were given the subtitle, Extraordinary Voyages. A bit later books in series, soon to follow, are the famous Capt. Nemo stories, namely Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1869-70) and Mysterious Island (1874-75) – The latter introduces even some mutual characters with Castaways and fx ship that finally arrives to rescue castaways from that Island is Duncan, Glenarvon's yacht. All the three therefore form loosely uniform entity, though each book is individual novel. As renown and presumable, the later 'sequels' focus largely around the Nemo and his submarine(Nautilus), and have been filmed repeatedly (there's number of versions from the first mentioned and fx from Mysterious Island 7 films and at least one Tv-serie exist).

In search of the extraordinary characters. Castaways contains both the 'vernerian realism' and '-romantism' in their most typical. If thinking the plot itself, respectable Lord Glenarvon and his companions/employees launching a voyage to search a lost ship-wrecked poor fellow-man around the four corners of the world doesn't feel realistic starting point. Not intended to be such and this of course only is a feature of that romanticism, say. Still, unselfishness of those noble gentlemen in benefit of the poor orphans, capt. Grants children Robert and Mary, appears slightly romanticed and exaggerated altruism. In reality, it of course seems likely that these honorable gentlemen wouldn't probably have the time or interest from their profitable businesses to participate for such uncertain effort. But, a 19^th century was also a period of exploration and as the shipwrecks were still quite common, the survivors were sometimes searched afterwards by others. In this sense books romanticist theme may have also been felt very catching by the public and still does, probably. Only that such dramatic topics and romanticed stories nowadays are the everyday use of the soap-operas and old-fashion tv-series and so no-one in these cynical days isn't much moved from such framing for adventures (also may be a result from that exhibits from such deeds and sacrifices by rich and stardom people are so common in magazines). But we can of course imagine that the willingness of these (fictional) gentlemen to any kind of adventures could have gathered them for this kind of unselfish rescue-journey.

However, even less realistic creation appears a character searchers meet at Patagonian mountains (Andes), Thalcave. This noble savage (whose name means something like 'thunder') isn't any particularly exceptional creation either, quite the contrary. As his name would suggest, he carries all those superheroic qualities presumed; kills a condor with a master-shot from almost impossible distances, speaks little and always wisely, is muscular by outer looks and without reservations from the start faithful to death for the foreign voyagers he hardly knows. Also is childish from the mind, brave by heart. So, briefly that's an example from [James] Fenimore-Coopers(1789-1851) type of literature indians - a common and typical character in romantistic 19^th century books and largely imitated by other writers. From Cooper's characters the best renown are Uncas/Chincaghook, Hard Heart perhaps(latter from Prairie, 1827). In addition to this super-human character, Castaways narrator also elsewhere fx inpassing describes the mixed blood local inhabitants as degenerated race. That neither not much uncommon practice in various 19^th century descriptions from newly colonized lands, therefore not perhaps adequate reason to condemn Verne a racist. But, also rasistic distinctions can be picked from the many pages in Castways, usually unproblematically merged within books romantic and idolizing descriptions.

Novels boring gallery from heroes and passive females is slightly re-arranged with the introduction of character that most of them could resemble an actual historical person. That is a geographist who accidentally enters Glenarvons ship and joins their journey, Paganel – The name somewhat gives reasons to wonder if that gallery of characters after all merely is a Vernerian joke. Differing from others, Paganel is french, absent-minded scientist who in spite of his profession turns out to be as skillful explorer as his companions. It is known that Verne around the same period (1865) also worked on one of his non-fiction books, The Illustrated Geography of France and her Colonies, which gives us some interest to speculate if that Paganel might instead represent in some level Verne's own persona in the Castaways. But, not any apparent clues from such jokings or alter ego's are presented and books themes also are pretty faithful to subjects typical in the canon of romantic literature (including journeys through wilderness and untraveled continents, noble heroes and their courageous deeds as well as male companionship).

Presumably, the literary criticism have presented (and speculated) the possible sources for that peculiar character, Paganel. It is known that Verne's publisher Hetzel usually demanded more positive turns for plot when the author himself would probably had preferred darker tones instead. Hetzel fx shelved that lately famously found (in 1990s) early manuscript, named Paris in the 20th century (written before Verne's renown works) - see more from it here. So,it can be also speculated if Hetzel may have had effect on Castaways contents as the book belongs to Verne's early works, although book wouldn't have been felt as strange by the reading public of the time. Even though, there might have been at least slight guidance and restrictions concerning the themes. How much, seems less clear. Anyway, Paganel's an important character in the story and actually the novel would appear lot more conventional without (even all that implicit, typically 19th centurian racial discrimination in the book would appear more conventional if he had been removed). But, as we haven't got any knowledge from Verne's opinions or motives, we can leave the preceding for mention.

Taken for granted. The lands and places (Since we've only read until middle of the book this far, Argentinian pampa mainly) travelers pass are all described very enchantingly, giving impression from expertise and realism in detail – trees, bushes, climate, all of it makes one imagine that this could be the way these areas and environments are/were. More typically for journey stories of those times, Verne especially, the passengers also enjoy plenty of meals from nature's offerings. From the various prey they harvest in their hunts reader learns names for number of birds in Araucan (ie probably in original spoken language of the region though its name is spaniard origin and therefore abandoned in use nowadays) – But various species are refered with that 'exotic' language, like the isacus (doves likely), chingolos, bulgueros, mongitas (sparrows and/or pigeons), tinamous (partridge), teru-teru (plovers), and tangaras, annubis. From more typical birds names there are nandus, wrens and flamingos. And continuing, they also encounter some other animals, fx peccary and the Red wolves of pampa which persecute passengers in one chapter (these were apparently not real wolves exactly speaking, but perhaps numerous in the 19th century - although, since I'm not able to find any description from that particular species, might as well be additional detail by readers licenses...)

On the other hand, like we've noticed Castwaways is very conventional as novel of its kind. The nature serves as an inexhaustive reserve, wild animals are mostly either useful prey in supplement the voyagers meals, beauties of the nature or frightening beasts – therefore usually best demolished and/or stuffed for decoration. Typical attitudes in the travels on the wilderness that make an important part of many Verne's (early) books. On the other hand he likely wasn't at all too optimistic concerning the inventions and progress as has been the later usual belief. Best example in Verne's contradictory characters is found from Nemo's lunatic person, interesting from the combination of his advanced technology and frantic hate towards the (western) civilization.

But now, we can also notice that Verne's books have had enormous impact on much of the later fiction, both in form of novels and movies (not to forget the comics – fx Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, though we're not much familiar with the serie and not bothered to check 'em for this text). Verne's works obviously use many elements that have been in existence before him, but their modern form he may have mastered in these novels. And as result that's a regular stuff and source material nowadays in numerous tv-series, fx. This is particularly found in such repeating schemes as ship-wrecked wonderers at the lone islands or the explorations to previously unknown/existing places. A watcher may find some reminiscients of that fx in series so different (or: similar) as Lost and The Survivors. Obviously, Verne's 'romantic realism' is lot more inventive creation than most of our times later (tv-)remakes and reuses. And we've not here much discussed his many futuristic foresees and 'scifistic visions', inventive and fantastic but in some ways similarly a very 19^th centurian phenomenom by origin and form, too.

In defense of the '19th century genius'. Later times may have seen Castaways in a bit more critical light if compared to some of author's later works which are nowadays more praised. That's perhaps because those (earlier mentioned) rasistic implications and attitudes in the book. Principally this means novels stereotypical characters, but it contains also plenty other, often more direct racial prejudices; those include that very typical 19th centurian attitudes of journey makers on their voyage through those 'unmapped' and 'untouched' lands, where 'no man has ever walked before', fx. As well similarly stereotypical are the unambigous descriptions of cannibalism, intended to correspond supposed popular readers taste and imagination, probably. But, in the same way, just as typical are descriptions from the strenuous (European) pioneers and settlers prospering on the new lands and continents.

Verne's novels often contain also political aims as is often mentioned. In Castaways these also perhaps are more apparent than in some other, and reader is given sometimes surprisingly plain colonization histories from the deeds of British world imperium on various continents (but fx from the histories of French colonies - be they less crude or not - he isn't told anything). Nowadays all this gives even more contradictory impression as the brave settlers are first praised and almost in the same sentence their original country quite justifiedly blamed from the enslavement/robbery of the foreign lands (while the native people of those lands are unalternatively described as noble or primitive). Some 150 years later, all that of course appears (again) just as typically 19th centurian attitudes.

But, (to put most of this) in brief, it can be noted that in the Castaways modern, progressive world is always there implicitly present, but apart from this existing wilderness where brave civilized (men) are showing their capability to survive in the harsh conditions with their (superb) intellect and other good qualities – not very much simplifying it. As we've tried to keep reminding, novel also has some better parts. Them include fx its effective and forceful narration as well as those earlier described (Vernerian) descriptions from various places and environments. In that sense, the book feels more carefully written as some of the authors latter novels. Modern reader only notices that these descriptions often are only a context created for the contemporary public, and perhaps this may have been the reason in behind of books so striking prejudices and illusions (fx in addition to above presented they also include the view from soon expected disappearance of the aboriginal cultures as well as the unavoidable disappearance of that romantic, pristine nature). If one can tolerate those attitudes, say that 19th centurian mind and thinking lurking from between the lines, then its otherways pretty competent story. And also its better than most of the remakes, if I'd say.

(Also seems that we've again slipped in the recent recommendations for only male writers, so might as well choose for the following 3 or 4 female authors, possibly.)

Notes:

1. Or The Children of Captain Grant. Original French name is Les Enfants du Capitaine Grant. In 1876 it was republished as A Voyage Around World (fr. Voyage autour du Monde); The latter three volume book uses in naming of the adventures the geographical setting of events - South America, Australia and New Zealand.

2. In the usual meaning of the term, a Vernerian, as explained in that most recent flick Journey to the Center of the Earth(2007), means a person who believes the extraordinary and magnificient things in Verne's books are based on real, actually existing places and happenings. However, we use that term (Vernerian) with different meaning; like in the case of any other author (fx Balzaccerian, Barksian) we mean by that simply the style or narration in some way typical for the prose of the author in question. So, Vernerian especially are fx those scientific detailed depictions from places and things, technologic inventions and devices, imaginative but mainly presented as based on contemporary 19^th century knowledge from the laws of nature, mechanics, chemistry etc. By Vernerian believer we refer to adverbs more common use, as explained in above (this kind of reminds me from that there really was a strong following of such believers in the times after Verne's books original publication or following his death, but again I've not bothered to check that more precisely. Probably a phenomenom that's found within some other inventive writers too, but also it may be connected to the 19^th centurian issues we're discussing in this recommendation.)

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