Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. by Cowan

(5 User reviews)   3014
Cowan, Frank, 1844-1905 Cowan, Frank, 1844-1905
English
Hey, I just read this wild old book from the 1800s about bugs. It's not a dry science textbook—it's a collection of the strangest, most unbelievable stories about insects and spiders that people actually believed throughout history. We're talking about scorpions being used as medicine, spiders predicting the weather, and beetles being tried in court. The real mystery isn't about the bugs, but about us: why did humans create such bizarre myths around these tiny creatures? It's a short, fascinating trip into the wonderfully weird side of natural history.
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only discovered by examination of the indexes and tables of contents. But are my facts _facts_?--it may be asked. They are; but I do not vouch for each one’s containing more than one truth. It is a fact, or truth if you will, that Pliny, Nat. Hist. xi. 34, says, “Folke use to hang Beetles about the neck of young babes, as present remedies against many maladies;” but that this statement is entitled to credit, and that these Insects, hung about the necks of young babes, _are_ a present remedy against many maladies, are two things which may be very true or far otherwise. I confine myself to the fact that Pliny says so, and only wish to be understood in that sense, unless when otherwise stated. The classification of Mr. Westwood, in the arrangement of the orders and families, I have followed as closely as was possible, except in one or two instances: and where Insects have common and familiar names, they have been given together with their scientific ones. To Dr. J. M. Toner, of Washington, for his suggestions and assistance in collecting material, I tender my thanks; the same also to N. Bushnell, Esq., and Hon. O. H. Browning, of Quincy, Ill., for the use of their several libraries. I am much indebted, too, to Mrs. A. L. Ruter Dufour, of Washington, for many superstitions and two pieces of poetry contained in this volume. I beg her to accept my thanks. GREENSBURG, PENNA., July 10th, 1865. CONTENTS. AUTHORS QUOTED 9 COLEOPTERA--BEETLES. Coccinellidæ--Lady-birds 17 Chrysomelidæ--Gold-beetles 23 Carabidæ 23 Pausidæ 23 Dermestidæ--Leather-beetles 24 Lucanidæ--Stag-beetles 24 Scarabæidæ--Dung-beetles 27 Dynastidæ--Hercules-beetles, etc. 45 Melolonthidæ--Cock-chafers 47 Cetoniidæ--Rose-chafers 49 Buprestidæ--Burn-cows 50 Elateridæ--Fire-flies, Spring-beetles, etc. 51 Lampyridæ--Glow-worms 55 Ptinidæ--Death-watch, etc. 58 Bostrichidæ--Typographer-beetle, etc. 61 Cantharidæ--Blister-flies 62 Tenebrionidæ--Meal-worms 65 Blapsidæ--Church-yard-beetle, etc. 65 Curculionidæ--Weevils 68 Cerambycidæ--Musk-beetles 72 Galerucidæ--Turnip-fly, etc. 74 EUPLEXOPTERA. Forficulidæ--Ear-wigs 76 ORTHOPTERA. Blattidæ--Cockroaches 78 Mantidæ--Soothsayers, etc. 82 Achetidæ--Crickets 92 Gryllidæ--Grasshoppers 98 Locustidæ--Locusts 101 NEUROPTERA. Termitidæ--White-ants 132 Ephemeridæ--Day-flies 138 Libellulidæ--Dragon-flies 138 Myrmeleonidæ--Ant-lions 141 HYMENOPTERA. Uroceridæ--Sirex 142 Cynipidæ--Gall-flies 143 Formicidæ--Ants 146 Vespidæ--Wasps, Hornets 170 Apidæ--Bees 174 LEPIDOPTERA. Papilionidæ--Butterflies 216 Sphingidæ--Hawk-moths 232 Bombicidæ--Silkworm-moths 234 Arctiidæ--Woolly-bear-moths 242 Psychidæ--Wood-carrying-moth, etc. 245 Noctuidæ--Antler-moth, Cut-worm, etc. 246 Geometridæ--Span-worms 248 Tineidæ--Clothes’-moths, Bee-moths, etc. 248 HOMOPTERA. Cicadidæ--Harvest-flies 250 Fulgoridæ--Lantern-flies 255 Aphidæ--Plant-lice 257 Coccidæ--Shield-lice 259 HETEROPTERA. Cimicidæ--Bed-bugs 265 Notonectidæ--Water-boatmen 275 DIPTERA. Culicidæ--Gnats 278 Tipulidæ--Crane-flies 286 Muscidæ--Flies 287 Œstridæ--Bot-flies 302 APHANIPTERA. Pulicidæ--Fleas 305 ANOPLEURA. Pediculidæ--Lice 316 ARACHNIDÆ. Acaridæ--Mites 321 Phalangidæ--Daddy-Long-legs 321 Pedipalpi--Scorpions 321 Araneidæ--True-spiders 332 MISCELLANEOUS 363 INDEX 373 AUTHORS QUOTED. ALEXANDER, SIR JAS. EDW. Exped. of Disc. into Interior of Africa. 2 v. 12mo., London, 1838. ANDERSON, CHAS. ROSS. Lake Ngami; or, Explor. and Disc. during four years wanderings in S. W. Africa. 8vo., New York, 1856. ANDREWS, JAMES PETTIT. Anecdotes, etc., Ancient and Modern. New edit. 8vo., London, 1790. ASIATICK MISCELLANY. 2 v. 4to., Calcutta, 1785, 1786. ASTLEY, THOMAS. New Gen. Collection of Voyages and Travels in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. 4 v. 4to., London, 1745-1747. AUBREY, JOHN. Miscellanies upon various subjects. 16mo. 4th edit., London, 1857. BACKHOUSE, JAMES. Narrat. of Visit to Mauritius and S. Africa. 8vo., London, 1844. BAIRD, WILLIAM. Cyclopædia of Natural Sciences. 8vo., London and Glasgow, 1858. BANCROFT, EDWARD. Essay on the Nat. Hist. of Guiana, in S. America. 8vo., London, 1769. BANCROFT, EDWARD. On Permanent Colours. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1813. BARTER, CHARLES. The Dorp and the Veld. 16mo., London, 1852. BARTH, HENRY. Travels and Discov. in North and Central Africa, from 1849 to 1855. 5 v. 8vo., London, 1857-1858. BIOGRAPHIE UNIVERSELLE, ANCIENNE ET MODERNE. 84 v. 8vo., Paris, 1811-1857. BJÖRNSTJERNA, COUNT M. Theogony of the Hindoos. 8vo., London, 1844. BOSMAN, WILLIAM. New and Accurate Desc. of Coast...

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The Story

Frank Cowan's 1865 book isn't a single narrative. Think of it as a cabinet of curiosities. He gathered hundreds of anecdotes, legends, and historical records about insects and arachnids from ancient times up to the Victorian era. Each short entry presents a "fact" as it was believed in its time: that bees could be produced from a dead ox, that a person could be cursed by a spider, or that glow-worms could light a room.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a delight because it shows how our understanding of nature has changed. You're not just learning about bugs; you're seeing the human imagination at work, trying to explain a mysterious world. Cowan presents these tales with a straight face, which makes them even funnier. You'll catch yourself thinking, "They really believed that?" It’s a perfect blend of history, folklore, and early science, served in bite-sized pieces ideal for a lazy afternoon.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves odd history, nature writing with personality, or just a good, strange story. If you enjoy shows about historical mysteries or browsing Wikipedia rabbit holes about weird facts, you'll love this. It's a charming reminder that the truth about nature is often stranger than the fiction we create around it.



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Lucas Harris
1 year ago

I had low expectations initially, however the storytelling feels authentic and emotionally grounded. Exactly what I needed.

Daniel Jackson
1 year ago

The formatting on this digital edition is flawless.

Jennifer Johnson
10 months ago

Loved it.

Linda Wilson
2 years ago

From the very first page, the character development leaves a lasting impact. Don't hesitate to start reading.

Emma Johnson
1 year ago

Great reference material for my coursework.

5
5 out of 5 (5 User reviews )

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