Curiosities of Natural History

by . Michigan Historical Reprint Series

This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program.

Genres: Nonfiction

434 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1975

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book. Of its time. Amazing descriptions of things that in many cases you won’t see anymore. I learnt about the London animal markets, that magpies can be taught to imitate speech and that force-feeding a porpoise brandy does not make it feel better! In this case the porpoise was accused of being ‘ungrateful’ by dying, and this epitomises the different attitude towards nature in the 19th century. Buckland is clearly a fascinated naturalist and scientist but also likes (to win) a good fight with an animal.