Dr. Kubassek János szerk.: A Kárpát-medence természeti értékei (Érd, 2004)

Dr. Péter Rózsa: Robert Townson (1762-1827): a pioneer scientific explorer of the Carpathian Basin

Townson belongs to the pioneers of the Tatra research. He not only reached the Fehér-tavi, Lomnic and Krivan Peaks, but he measured their heights, and stated that ­contrary to the common belief - the Lomnic Peak is higher than the Krivan. On the basis of his altimetric measurements, he set up an order by altitude of the settlements, too. He made excellent observation during his excursions in the Tatra. Outstanding is his description of the stratigraphy of the Bélai Tatra, in which he suggests the nappe character of these mountains (PINCZÉS Z., 1999). The High Tatra and its environment shows the most details in his map of "Petrography" (see later). Townson gives a good description of the glacial forms (that time the geomorphological impact of ice was not known): on the amphitheatre-like bowl of the Zöld Lake, the Kis- and Nagy-Tarpatak Valleys, and the valley steps (Riegel) in the Kis-Tarpatak Valley. He may have been among the first to determine the upper and lower boundaries of the mountain-pine zone, and points to the areal differences. His role in the floristical research of the Tatra is discussed in the following part. Considering Townson's pioneer role in the Tatra research, in 1908 Seidel sug­gested that the south-western ridge of the Fehér-tavi Peak, which was climbed by Townson, should be named Townson Ridge in his honour (SEIDEL HL, 1908). Unfortunately, this proposition has been forgotten. THE APPENDIX Cy~ ownson's "Entomologia" (a list of beetle species and varieties) and vri^ Regnum Vegetabile" (a list of plants) published in the Appendix of his book belong to the most important results of his travels in Hungary. 36 Concerning the Appendix Townson says in the Preface as it follows: "In regard to the Appendix, I beg it may be understood, that the observations there are only such as occurred on examining and determining the insects and plants I collected in this Tour. It may serve as a fragment towards a Fauna and Flora of this kingdom; and may contain some addition to the Systema Naturae, and afford some hints to systematic writers on entomology and botany. " 37 The "Entomologia" contains 352 taxons, and Townson gave descriptions of 14 new species. 38 Binomial nomenclature was used in naming 10, while in the case of the remaining four the species name was substituted with "Nov. Spec". Five of the ten new <o /85 o

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