From sea squirts to slugs to swallowtails--the third, fabulous, and
gorgeously illustrated book in Richard Mabey's series, a companion
volume to Flora Britannica and Birds Britannica
A comprehensive look at invertebrates that proves it's the little things
that count, this essential and accessible work on bugs is not a
biological guide but a richly illustrated cultural one, seen through the
eyes of writers, musicians, artists, and naturalists--from the great
Tudor naturalist Thomas Muffet, father of Little Miss Muffet, to Irvine
Welsh's talking tapeworm in Filth--as well as contributions by
ordinary men and women who are fascinated by creepy crawlies of all
kinds. Structured along a roughly evolving path, the book ranges from
simple cell life-forms to spiders, butterflies, and bees, and then back
into the water to meet mollusks and almost-fish. In addition to the
fascinating habits of the bug world, the eccentric behavior of the bug
obsessives themselves is also included. But of course, the true heroes
of the book are the bugs themselves--the nimble-dicks, clock ladies, and
coffin-cutters. From the Boring Sponge to the Mermaid's Glove to the
Penis Worm, this rich compendium of bugs is a must not only for
naturalists but also for anyone who cares about the crawling and buzzing
swarms at their feet.
