Publisher's Synopsis
"The first part of this volume traces the characterization of individual insects in three thousand years of classical Chinese poetry, from the ancient Book of Odes to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), as emblems of virtues and vices. Subsequent chapters are dedicated to the selfless and diligent silkworm, the pure and outspoken cicada, the social organization of the ants and the bees (as well as the philandering tendencies of bees and butterflies), fighting crickets and disastrous locusts, slanderous flies and sly mosquitoes, as well as body parasites as lice, fleas and bedbugs. Each chapter includes extensive translations, highlighting lesser known aspects of well-known poets and introducing original works by lesser-known authors"--.
