Some writing from the ancient world is included in this selection, notably passages from Pliny and Aristotle (both shrewd observers), but the greater part of it comes from the last three, centuries. A pleasant surprise is the 9th century Irish lyric May Time, in a prose version by Kenneth Jackson, excerpts from Giraldus Cambrensis and Albertus Magnus (13th century). The Romantics, of course, figure prominently, but sober scientists such as Darwin and Humboldt also get their say and so do certain 18th century observers including the incomparable Gilbert White. Loren Eisley, Peter Matthiessen, Gavin Maxwell and others bring us up to the present day and the Conscience of Conservation.