A day in the Oberland -- Switzerland in early summer -- Gletsch -- The problem of the galloping horse -- The jewel in the toad's head -- Elephants -- A strange extinct beast -- Vegetarians and their teeth -- Food and cookery -- Smells and perfumes -- Kisses -- Laughter -- Fatherless frogs -- Primitive beliefs about fatherless progeny -- The pygmy races of men -- Prehistoric petticoats -- New Year's Day and the calendar -- Eastertide, shamrocks and spermaceti -- Museums -- The secret of a terrible disease -- Carriers of disease -- Immunity and curative inoculations -- The strange story of animal life in New Zealand -- The effacement of nature by man -- The extinction of the bison and of whales -- More about whales -- Misconceptions about science.
E-text prepared by Stacy Brown, Nick Wall, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
"More Science from an Easy Chair" by Sir E. Ray Lankester is a collection of essays and observations on various scientific topics written in the early 20th century. The book reflects Lankester's deep interest in natural history, providing readers with insights about the natural world, various plants and animals, and geological phenomena. Through these essays, he aims to engage the curiosity of the general public, making complex scientific ideas more accessible and relatable. The opening of the volume sets the scene with a picturesque description of the Swiss Alps, particularly focusing on the breathtaking beauty of Interlaken and the imposing presence of the Jungfrau mountain. Lankester vividly describes his exploration of the area, noting the flora, fauna, and the geological features along his journey. He shares details about fishing in cold alpine waters, the peculiarities of local fish species, and the pollination process of alpine flowers through humble-bees. His keen observations combine natural history with personal reflections, conveying both the scientific intricacies and the emotional appreciation of nature's beauty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 52.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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