A comprehensive look at invertebrates that proves it's the little things that count, this essential and accessible work on bugs is not a biological guide but a richly illustrated cultural one, seen through the eyes of writers, musicians, artists, and naturalists--from the great Tudor naturalist Thomas Muffet, father of Little Miss Muffet, to Irvine Welsh's talking tapeworm in "Filth"--as well as contributions by ordinary men and women who are fascinated by creepy crawlies of all kinds.