The Book of Insects is divided into ten volumes, each of which is divided into chapters ranging from 17 to 25 Each chapter depicts the life of one or more species of insects in detail and in depth, and also includes a number of biographical essays recounting experiences and reminiscences. In this book, the author describes the tireless efforts of tiny insects to survive and reproduce by adhering to the rules of nature.
Based on his lifelong experience and achievements in insect research, the author looks at the nature of insects in a humane way, and reflects the social life with the nature of insects. He focuses on the external morphology and biological habits of the insects that he has observed and researched, and realistically records the instincts, habits, labors, and deaths of several common insects.
Under his pen, each type of insect has its own unique "note": the "hard-working" ants, which are praised by many, turn out to be the detriment of the interests of its bugs; wasps build their own "planet" underground. "
The cicada, which makes a lot of noise throughout the summer, turns out to be deaf; the red-striped wasp, which acts like a neurologist and uses anesthesia to keep its prey unconscious, so that its larvae can grow up on automatically preserved food; and the beautiful peacock moth, which was born on earth for the sole purpose of looking for a mate, which only has a lifespan of two or three days and only has time to find a partner on earth... ...This is the most marvelous secret of the world - life.
Expanded Information
In addition, this book not only exhaustively records Fabre's research results, but also records the motivation of Fabre's obsession with the study of insects, biographical ambitions, intellectual background, and living conditions.
Particularly the chapters "Alma's Laboratory," "The Return of the Ancestor Phenomenon," "My School," "The Pond," "Mathematical Reminiscences: Newton's Binomials," "Mathematical Reminiscences: My Little Table," "Reminiscences of Childhood," "Unforgettable Lessons," and "Industrial Chemistry.
If you look at it differently, think of The Book of Insects as Fabre's autobiography, a very peculiar autobiography, in which the insects are nothing more than evidence of his research experience, biographical circumstantial material.