Introduction

Abstract

Adaptation is defined (Raven et al. 1986) as a peculiarity of structure, physiology, or behavior of an organism that aids in fitting the organism to its particular environment. Darwin (1859) and his followers explained adaptations as the results of natural selection through the processes of evolution. Views on adaptations to the environment in pre-Darwinian times are referred to (Brandon 1990) as the “Creationist account” whereby organisms were designed by God to fit the demands or hazards of their environments. The following may indicate a clear Darwinian view, which had already been conceived many centuries earlier. In the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbath 31, a; written ca. 1500 years ago) there is a story about two men who wanted to make Rabbi Hillel (who lived some 2000 years ago) angry by asking him many difficult questions. One of the questions was “Why are the feet of the Africans wide?” “My son, you have asked a great question”, said he, “Because they live in watery marshes” (translated by I. Epstein 1938).