The Naming of the Shrew: A Curious History of Latin Names
John Wright2014

Why is an attractive yellow flower a "dirty old man" ? Why was the common shrew called a "spider mouse" ? And how did a bettle come to share the name of an Oscar-winning British film star ?

Latin names have been perplexing the layman since the eighteenth century. But why did anyone go to the trouble of inventing them ? Weaving together science, language and history, John Wright unpuzzles these mysteries. This witty and well-researched work will satisfy anyone curious about the rich and playful names that organise the creatures and plants that share our planet.

Titre original : The Naming of the Shrew: A Curious History of Latin Names (2014)