From sea squirts to slugs to swallowtailsthe third, fabulous, and gorgeously illustrated book in Richard Mabey's series, a companion volume toFlora Britannica and Birds Britannica
Acomprehensive look at invertebrates that proves its 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 naturalistsfrom the great Tudor naturalist Thomas Muffet, father of Little Miss Muffet, to Irvine Welshs talking tapeworm in Filthas 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 themselvesthe nimble-dicks, clock ladies, and coffin-cutters. From the Boring Sponge to the Mermaids Glove to the Penis Worm, this rich compendium of bugs is a must not only for naturalists but alsofor anyone who cares about the crawling and buzzing swarms at their feet.
