The natural history of Chiloe: on Darwin's trail
La historia natural de Chiloe: en la senda de Darwin

MARY F. WILLSON and JUAN J. ARMEST0

Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 69: 149-161, 1996

This article reviews the wiritings of Charles Darwin during his visit to Chiloe Island in southern Chile in 1834-35, focusing on his observations on the climate, plants, landscapes, animals and people. We compare Darwin's impressions with our views of the natural history of the Island 150 years later.

Key words: Biogeography, Chiloe, plant-animal interactions, history of science, Chile.