
In this compact volume the author turns his scientific eye to the tiny enemies that have haunted humanity for centuries. From swarms of Arctic mosquitoes that tormented an Eskimo loading his umiak, to the relentless cockroaches scuttling through army barracks, each chapter blends field observation with a wry commentary on how these creatures have shaped daily life, especially during the hardships of war.
The book is richly illustrated with detailed plates of insects at every stage of development, alongside anecdotes drawn from medical journals and personal experience. Its tone is part scholarly report, part humorous memoir, offering listeners both factual insight into entomology and a glimpse of the unseen forces that have quietly influenced history. Ideal for anyone curious about the small creatures that shape our world.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (177K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Peter Becker, Les Galloway and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2021-11-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1861–1927
A pioneering zoologist and natural historian, he combined serious scientific work with a gift for clear, lively writing. His career at Cambridge and his wide-ranging curiosity helped make him a well-known voice in British science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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