Tinkering with Eden: a Natural History of Exotic Species in America.KIM TODD Like people, many of the animals roaming The ability to use a communications device such as a cellphone or PDA and be able to move from one cell or access point to another without losing the connection. the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. aren't natives. Pigeons, for example, were introduced by French immigrants who viewed the species as a symbol of nobility NOBILITY. An order of men in several countries to whom privileges are granted at the expense of the rest of the people. 2. The constitution of the United States provides that no state shall "grant any title of nobility; and no person can become a citizen of the . AS Todd reports, there are some 4,500 exotic animals now inhabiting the United States. While some exotics have produced positive results since the arrival of Europeans 400 years ago, others have devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. native species. Todd considers not only the consequences of the importation of exotics, but also the social and entrepreneurial forces behind the introductions. She notes that the first settlers at Jamestown brought honeybees with them to provide honey and wax, which were a boon for farmers. On the other hand, South American nutrias raised for fur escaped from their pens in Louisiana early in this century and ravaged rav·age v. rav·aged, rav·ag·ing, rav·ages v.tr. 1. To bring heavy destruction on; devastate: A tornado ravaged the town. 2. sugarcane. In addition to recounting such stories, Todd offers some ideas for how to curb the arrival of more nonnative species. Originally published in hardcover in 2001, Norton, 2002, 302 p., b&w illus., paperback, $15.95. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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