Merde

Description

"History, biology, anthropology, culture, animal behaviorall of these are the real subjects of Merde. Why can some animals do it on the run, and others can't? Why does camel dung make good fires? What are the fascinating stories of the dung beetles?"--BOOK JACKET. "Myths and legends, physical features, health and disease, uses for construction and as fertilizers - even nutritional values! - Ralph Lewin writes about them all in the most ingratiating and sophisticated and yet scientific way. Merde is also full of personal adventures and observations, as well as anecdotes and examples."--BOOK JACKET.

First Sentence

The word "science," meaning knowledge, and the word "shit," from the Old English sci- tan, both apparently derive from the same ancient Indo-European root, as does the Greek word from which scatology is derived. (The modern Greek expression Skata sta montra sou is not recommended for polite society.)

Subjects

Other Editions

• Merde: excursions in scientific, cultural, and sociohistorical coprologyRandom House1999-01-01
• MerdeAurum1999-01-01
• MerdePaperbackRandom House1999-05-11
• MerdeRandom House1999-05-11
• MerdeQuarto Publishing Group UK2000-01-01
• MerdePenguin Random House2009-01-01