Spinning Jenny and Devil's Darning Needle

This book is about dragonflies and damselflies and their cultural associations with man.The fascination that insects have for man is exemplified by collecting, scientific study and experimentation, and their aesthetic appeal has attracted attention from craftsmen of all disciplines. Butterflies in particular are so eye-catching with their colour, grace and beauty that they elicit a response which probably no other insect is accorded.Dragonflies however, despite their beauty are quite often viewed by man with revulsion and fear, and this manifests itself in some of the colloquial names bestowed on the creatures. They have been used as motifs in decoration by sculptor, carver, potter, painter and embroiderer, and in literature and music by author, poet and composer. The wings of certain species are used as nose pins, and both adult insect and larva are used gastronomically and medicinally in parts of the world.These beautiful insects which are amongst the oldest in the world, pre-dating pterodactyls by 100 million years and birds by 150 million years, deserve both our admiration and protection.

Contents Include

Folk Names

Folklore, Myth and Legend

Literature, Poetry and Music

Illustrations, Sculpture and Carvings

Art Nouveau

Religion

Food, Medicine and Decoration

Stamps

Miscellaneous

SIGNED FIRST EDITION

Author: M.Jill Lucas
Publisher: Lucas signed 1st ed
Extra Details: Pictorial Card Covers 6 x 9 inches tall.88 Pages,Lavishly llustrated with Colour Photos.