killerplants.com | What's in a Name? | Archive Most Recent | Free Newsletter Signup

Why was eel grass named for a geologist?

Killer Savings Offer:

By Chelsie Vandaveer

July 25, 2003

Series: | 1 | | 2 |

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Shop now and save at PETCO.com!

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Grow Your Own Live Aquarium Plants, biOrb Aquarium Kit with Light—>Click here.

SeaClear Deluxe Hexagon Aquarium Combos, Ocean Treasures Aquariums—>Click here.

Linnaeus was almost 23 when Antonio Vallisnieri died. In another 23 years (1753), he would publish Species Plantarum. Linnaeus honored Vallisnieri (Vallisneri) naming an aquatic plant after him.

Antonio Vallisnieri was born in Trassilico, Italy in 1661, the latter days of the Renaissance. He received an education in philosophy and medicine. His mentor was Marcello Malpighi who pioneered the use of a microscope to study human cells. ("Vallisnieri, Antonio", Richard S. Westfall, Catalog of the Scientific Community, Project Galileo)

The graceful eel grass of southern Europe, Vallisneria spiralis,
was the first named for this early geologist.
A Freshwater Turtle Swimming Underwater
Photographic Print by Bill Curtsinger
Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

Even in the late Renaissance, spontaneous generation of life was the commonly accepted belief--worms came from animal hairs floating in the water troughs, orchids sprang from where animals mated, maggots and flies came from rotting meat, and wasp grubs formed inside oak leaves.

Besides working as a physician and a professor, Vallisnieri studied insects, plants, and anatomy. He emphasized the precise use of language to describe scientific observations. He illustrated anatomical dissections and the life cycles of insects. He proved that plant galls were caused by the 'sting' of the ovipositor of a wasp laying an egg and not spontaneous generation.

Antonio Vallisnieri also helped found a brand new science, geology. He explored the Apennines in Tuscany and described marine fossils found in the mountains. He correctly theorized that rivers arising as springs originally came from rain and snow melt seeping into underground channels. ("Who was Antonio Vallisneri?", F. W. Lupi)

It is fitting then that Linnaeus should choose to keep Vallisnieri's name close to the springs and rivers he studied. The graceful eel grass of southern Europe, Vallisneria spiralis, was the first named for this early geologist.

The University of Virginia Library has posted The Dictionary of the History of Ideas. The excellent article "Genetic Continuity" discusses the changes in scientific thinking. To learn more about the profound changes that occurred from the Renaissance to the present, click on the link:

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhiana.cgi?id=dv2-34

The Dictionary of the History of Ideas was originally published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. This is a superb compilation of articles covering hundreds of topics in the sciences and humanities. To entertain your mind for hours, use the navigation on the left side of the page.

Fiumelatte (River of Milk) flowing into Lake Como is one of many studied by Vallisnieri. To view a photograph of the unique spring giving rise to the shortest river in Italy, click on the link:

http://www.varennaitaly.com/fiumelatte_e.html

The Tropical Tank by Sean Evans has a photograph of eel grass of southern Europe, Vallisneria spiralis. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Plantdir/vallispi.htm

Series: | 1 | | 2 |

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!