I recently finished reading a most remarkable book, An
Obsession with Butterflies, by Sharman Apt Russell, subtitled "our long love
affair with a singular insect." I heartily recommend this slim volume to all who
are fascinated by and care about butterflies and the science and art of
lepidopterology. The author, who teaches creative writing, melds art and science
in an engaging manner, sure to please a wide audience of all ages. A few quotes
will acquaint you with the tone and subject matter of the
book.
"Butterflies became present in my life one summer afternoon by a
river in New Mexico. A Western Tiger Swallowtail dipped by my face. About three
inches across, it seemed much larger. Its lemon yellow wings were striped
improbably and fluted in black. They filliped into a long forked tail with spots
of red and blue. Smelling nothing of interest, the butterfly floated away,
leaving me pleased and agitated, as though I had been handed a gift I didn't
deserve....
"The Western Tiger Swallowtail was patrolling for a mate,
avoiding birds, and on the lookout for nectar and carrion juices. Like most
butterflies, it tasted with its feet and smelled with its antennae. Its
genitalia had eyes, simple light-sensitive cells. It had been alive for a day.
It might live another month."
From a chapter entitled Butterfly Matisse,
we read, "More than anything else, butterflies look like they were designed in
art school."
A chapter, In the Land of Butterflies, recounts the
Brasillian adventures and discoveries of Henry Walter Bates (for whom Batesian
mimicry is named).
Other chapters deal with the life cycle of
butterflies, butterfly intelligence, and the work of several notable students of
butterflies, including Lady Glanville, James Petiver, Vladimir Nabokov, and
Miriam Rothschild. Several members of this leps list are featured in the
book.
You may read small portions of the book online. It may be obtained
from your favorite purveyor of books for about $14. I believe it would make a
great gift for all but the most jaded of personalities.
---
John
Saba