[Science101]

I was wondering what the forum thought of this very interesting Muslim history that I find fascinating.

In the Book of Animals, abu Uthman al-Jahith (781-869), an intellectual of East African descent, was the first to speculate on the influence of the environment on species. He wrote: “Animals engage in a struggle for existence; for resources, to avoid being eaten and to breed. Environmental factors influence organisms to develop new characteristics to ensure survival, thus transforming into new species. Animals that survive to breed can pass on their successful characteristics to offspring.”

http://msmnorthwest.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/science-islams-forgotten-geniuses/45/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Jahiz

 

[crayon]

Interesting.. I've heard his name before, but hadn't heard of this..
Very cool, thanks for sharing!