Set of evocative essays, each devoted to an individual invertebrate - whether the giant squid or slime eel, or fire ant or tarantula - which is full of good science and a fullsome wit.
`Almost every animal he focuses on either torments, frightens or disgusts people, and for Conniff, who delights in discovering a scientist who keeps a basement full of spiders, that is at least half the fun. But he knows his science, too. He includes vivid descriptions of dragonfly aerodynamics and earthworm sex, and appends a good bibliography of books and scholarly articles to back up each chapter. If you do not mind the raucous writing, this is an entertaining introduction to a dozen interesting animals.' Jonathan Beard, New Scientist