Concerning Animals and Other Matters

This volume offers a lively parade of short sketches that turn ordinary animals into memorable characters. From an elephant’s nose that seems to become a hand to a blackbird’s flamboyant skirt, each vignette blends careful observation with a wink of humor. The author’s love of language—sprinkled with classical allusions and playful phrasing—makes the natural history feel as entertaining as a conversation with a witty guide.

Set against the backdrop of late‑Victorian Bombay, the writer—a modest Scottish‑Indian missionary’s son—shares anecdotes of field trips, plague‑fighting rats, and weekend rambles through hills and jungles. His gentle humor and earnest curiosity invite listeners to see familiar beasts in a fresh light, while subtly hinting at the larger scientific questions of his time. The result is a collection that feels both educational and warmly personable, ideal for anyone who enjoys nature’s quirks told with a scholar’s affection.