MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: Bizarre Books on Beasts, part 1

Hello;

I was going to write about animals reactions to earthquakes today but I can`t find a crucial book I would have needed for that, so I thought I`d do a piece on bizarre book titles, as far as animals are concerned. So for all you bibliophiles out there, here we go. ( I have no idea as yet to how many parts this will run to; at least two, I expect.)

All the books in this list are to be found in Bizarre Books by Russell Ash and Brian Lake. (1987 Sphere Books, ISBN 0-7221-1292-0) The List is in alphabetical order by subject title, but A and The do not count. For example, A Nostalgia for Camels is entered under `N`.

(abebooks.com occasionally bring out lists of bizarre books they sell)

The Boys Own Aquarium by Frank Finn ( 1922) In Chapter 4 The Right Person For The Job. This item and the ones below are in Chapter 4 (unless otherwise stated)` “Authors whose Names are Remarkably appropriate – or totally inappropriate – to the subject of their books.”(1)

Farm Poultry Raising by Herbert Roderick Bird. (1948)

Fish Hooks in Africa and Their Distribution (1934) by Sture Lagercrantz, (Ch. 6)

The Imperial Animal (1972) Lionel Tiger and Robin Fox

The Principles of Insect Philosophy (1939) by V. B. Wigglesworth

The Rhinocesos* in Art from Durer to Stubbs (no date) by T. H. Clark This item in Chapter 6 `We have a Book On It Astonishingly specialized subjects.

[* I have this wonderful illustration by Dȕrer at home.]

Running Duck by Paul Gosling (1979)

There are No Problem Horses, Only Problem Riders, (1982) by Mary Twelveponies .

Wall Paintings by Snake Charmers in Tanganyika (1953) by Hans Cory.(Ch.6)

Finally today, Bizarre Books features their favourites selection of ethnographer Berholdt Laufer`s books: (Ch.6 pp 47-49)

“Merit Award for Books on Extraordinary Specialized Subjects. This coveted award goes to Berthold Laufer of Chicago (1874-1934) the distinguished author of a veritable library of over 100 fascinating works, mostly published in Leiden,by E.J.Brill or Chicago by the Field Museum of Natural History, including in chronological order of publication): 1906 The Bird Chariot 1913 Arabic and Chinese Trade in Walrus & Narwhal Ivory, 1914 Bird Divination Among the Tibetans, 1926 Ostrich Egg-shell cups of Mesopotamia and the Ostrich in Ancient and Modern Times, 1928 The Giraffe in History and Art *1 (2)

[ *! I own this one ]

1. Bizarre Books (1987) R.Ash and B.Lake Chapter 4 pp 22-31
2. Ibid pp 47-49

The Alarm Howling Wind

Love on this waste land,holds no dominion

I refuse to lay me down

On the grapevine,comes this saying,

Son you`ll reap whatever you sow

I sow the seeds of my love,

Deep,undying true love`s what I sow

Rich