
audiobook
by Frank Cowan
CURIOUS FACTS IN THE HISTORY OF INSECTS; INCLUDING SPIDERS AND SCORPIONS.
PREFACE.
AUTHORS QUOTED.
ORDER I. COLEOPTERA—BEETLES. - Coccinellidæ—Lady-birds.
ORDER II. EUPLEXOPTERA. - Forficulidæ—Ear-wigs.
ORDER III. ORTHOPTERA. - Blattidæ—Cockroaches.
ORDER IV. NEUROPTERA. - Termitidæ—White-ants.
ORDER V. HYMENOPTERA. - Uroceridæ—Sirex.
ORDER VI. LEPIDOPTERA. - Papilionidæ—Butterflies.
ORDER VII. HOMOPTERA. - Cicadidæ—Harvest-flies.
Delving into the odd and often overlooked side of entomology, this volume gathers the myriad legends, superstitions, and folk remedies that have linked insects to human life for centuries. From beetles strung around newborns as protective charms to the eerie omens attached to spiders crossing a doorway, each entry reveals how cultures worldwide have read meaning into the smallest of creatures. The author’s meticulous research, drawn from travelogues, ancient chronicles, and obscure pamphlets, turns these anecdotes into a vivid tapestry of belief and curiosity.
Beyond folklore, the book also explores practical intersections: insects used in traditional medicine, their roles in art and cuisine, and the strange injuries they sometimes inflict. By pairing familiar common names with their scientific counterparts, readers can easily follow the trail from myth to the actual species. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or simply fascinated by the quirks of history, this collection offers a captivating glimpse into the human‑insect relationship that has lingered since antiquity.
Full title
Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. A Complete Collection of the Legends, Superstitions, Beliefs, and Ominous Signs Connected with Insects; Together with Their Uses in Medicine, Art, and as Food; and a Summary of Their Remarkable Injuries and Appearances.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (756K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Jennifer Linklater and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2012-12-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1844–1905
A restless 19th-century American man of letters, he moved easily between law, medicine, journalism, and travel writing. His life was as colorful as his books, stretching from work in Andrew Johnson’s White House to globe-circling journeys that fed his essays and poems.
View all books
by Jean-Henri Fabre

by Jean-Henri Fabre

by Jean-Henri Fabre

by Sir John Lubbock

by William Kirby, William Spence

by William Kirby, William Spence

by William Kirby, William Spence

by William Kirby, William Spence