Excerpt: "Every one desires to live as long as he can. Every one values health "above all gold and treasure." Every one knows that, as far as his own individual good is concerned, protracted life and a frame of body sound and strong, free from the thousand pains which flesh is heir to, are unspeakably more important than all other objects, because life and health must be secured before any possible result of any possible circumstance can be of consequence...

Excerpt: "In September, 1747, one John Diamond, otherwise Dymar, agreed with a number of smugglers to go over to the Island of Guernsey, to smuggle tea, where, having purchased a considerable quantity, on their return in a cutter, were taken by one Capt. Johnson, who carried the vessel and tea to the port of Poole, and lodged the tea in the Custom-house there. The smugglers being very much incensed at this fatal miscarriage of their purchase, resolved...

Insect Manufactures delves into the intricate and often overlooked world of insects and their remarkable ability to create complex structures. This book, though historical, finds profound modern relevance in its exploration of themes such as sustainability, biomimicry, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The text meticulously documents various insects' manufacturing prowess, from bees' honeycombs to termites' mounds, showcasing nature's engineering...