My Virtual Reading Room

The Modern Entomologist
by Mark Isaak
with apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan

I am the very model of a modern entomologist.
I've information useful to a tropical biologist.
I've studied which antennal parts of silverfish are muscular
And know quite well exactly which mosquitoes are crepuscular.
I scan the forest canopy in search of lepidoptera
And burrow beneath rotting logs for certain coleoptera.
I've mapped the complex passageways that termites always scurry in
And studied insect evolution back to the Silurian.
I know the economic consequences of herbivory
And all the different methods used for pesticide delivery.
In short, in matters vital to a tropical biologist,
I am the very model of a modern entomologist.

I watch as ants patrol the tunnels of their nests incessantly;
Some fireflies I have seen conversing bioluminescently.
I'll tell you gruesome stories of Mantodea ferocity
And quote you the statistics of Neuroptera velocity.
And then I've catalogued the major vectors of malaria
And listed all the earwigs in the Indonesian area.
I've analyzed the noises of the cricket and the katydid.
(The ones from Costa Rica made a sound like those from Haiti did.)
I've checked how mayfly populations vary with humidity
And double-checked all E. O. Wilson's theories for validity.
In short, in matters vital to a tropical biologist,
I am the very model of a modern entomologist.

In fact, when I know dragonflies from abdomen to mandible;
When I find aphids, fleas, and lice completely understandable;
When I have skill with killing jars and nets and other gimmickry;
And when I know minutiae of camouflage and mimicry;
When I have very detailed observations of a myriad
Of locusts reproducing in a seventeen year period;
When I know how cockroaches grow from instar to maturity--
My papers (when I write them) won't be destined for obscurity.
Although I've studied insects, and in all their great diversity,
I've yet to get my tenure at a major university,
But still, in matters vital to a tropical biologist,
I am the very model of a modern entomologist.

2 October 2012
Nikolai Aldunin is called the master of miniatures.
He put horseshoes on a flea as well as saddle and stirrups, he also put 7 camels in the eye of a needle and a replica of a Russian samovar that is smaller than a grain of sugar, he made a tank on a sliced apple seed - it is almost impossible to believe.
Nevertheless, it is real and everything is crafted out of gold. Like many other artists who make miniature sculptures, Nikolai crafts between the beats of the heart that allows him to reduce the shaking of hands. This is very interesting to see.


 (yes, this is the eye of a regular-sized sewing needle, shown under magnification)

You can see more pics and a video HERE

А здесь можно посмотреть и прочитать на русском:http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/3331413/post242047327/

Found via vasily_sergeev; many thanks!