About the Book
How to tell a bison from a buffalo-not to mention a yam from a sweet potato
Here's a book for anyone who's ever wondered about the difference between a crayfish and a crawfish. Or a frog and a toad. Or a buzzard and a vulture. Animal taxonomy is not what you'd call an exact science, and the field is lousy with all sorts of confounding terms.
In this entertaining, highly useful reference, Philip Mortenson takes on a wide-ranging list of monikers, from plants to higher mammals. Reviewed by an impressive cadre of experts, the book lays to rest any lingering confusion over the distinctions between seemingly related-yet crucially distinct-terms, such as mushroom and toadstool; moss and lichen; crocodile and alligator; skate and ray; turtle and tortoise; and mink, sable, ferret, ermine, stoat, and weasel. Everyone from the language lover to the nature buff will be charmed by this book.
Philip B. Mortenson (Minneapolis, MN) studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments. Introduction.
1. NOMENCLATURE AND TAXONOMY.
Nomenclature (Scientific; Common).
Kingdom; Phylum; Class; Order; Family; Genus; Species.
2. PLANTS.
Bulb; Corm; Tuber; Root.
Corn; Maize.
Evergreen; Deciduous; Broadleaf; Coniferous.
Fruit; Vegetable.
Grass; Reed; Sedge; Rush.
Hardwood; Softwood.
Heath; Heather.
Mold; Mildew.
Moss; Lichen.
Mushroom; Toadstool.
Muskmelon; Cantaloupe.
Onion; Scallion; Shallot; Leek.
Pine; Fir; Spruce.
Redwood; Sequoia.
Sap; Resin; Pitch; Gum.
Spine; Thorn; Prickle.
Spore; Seed.
Sweet Potato; Yam.
Tree; Shrub; Bush.
3. TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES.
Insect; Spider; Crustacean.
Bee; Wasp; Hornet; Ant.
Bug; Beetle.
Centipede; Millipede.
Dragonfly; Damselfly.
Grasshopper; Locust; Cricket; Katydid.
Mite● Chigger; Tick; Louse.
Butterfly; Moth; Skipper.
Caterpillar; Grub; Larva; Maggot; Nymph.
4. AQUATIC LIFE.
Clam; Oyster; Mussel; Scallop; Bivalve; Lampshell.
Flounder; Halibut; Turbot; Sole.
Herring; Sardine; Pilchard; Anchovy.
Lobster; Crayfish; Crawfish; Scampi.
Marlin; Swordfish; Sailfish; Spearfish.
Minnows; Suckers; Other Small Fish.
Sharks; Other Fish.
Shrimp; Prawn; Krill.
Skate; Ray; Shark.
Squid; Octopus; Cuttlefish.
5. AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES.
Amphibian; Reptile.
Alligator; Crocodile; Caiman.
Frog; Toad.
Newt; Salamander; Eft.
Python; Anaconda; Boa Constrictor.
Snake; Lizard; Skink.
Turtle; Tortoise; Terrapin.
6. BIRDS.
Blackbird; Grackle; Crow; Raven; Rook.
Buzzard; Vulture.
Hawk; Falcon.
Crane; Heron; Egret.
Grouse; Ptarmigan; Quail; Partridge.
Gull; Tern.
Pigeon; Dove.
7. MAMMALS.
Mammal; Marsupial; Monotreme.
African Elephant; Indian Elephant.
Vicuna; Guanaco; Alpaca; Llama.
Antelope; Deer; Pronghorn.
Antler; Horn.
Ape; Monkey (Old World; New World).
Ass; Burro; Donkey; Hinny; Horse; Jackass; Jenny; Mule.
Bat; Rabbit; Rodent.
Bison; Buffalo (Cape; Water).
Bobcat; Lynx; Wildcat.
Brown Bear; Grizzly; Kodiak.
Camel; Dromedary.
Caribou; Reindeer.
Coyote; Dog; Wolf.
Dolphin; Porpoise; Whale.
Dugong; Manatee; Seacow.
Elk; Moose; Red Deer; Wapiti.
Ermine; Ferret; Fisher; Marten; Mink; Polecat; Sable; Stoat; Weasel.
Goat; Sheep.
Great Cats; Lesser Cats.
Hare; Rabbit.
Jaguar; Cougar; Leopard; Panther.
Kangaroo; Wallaby; Wallaroo.
Seal; Sea Lion; Walrus.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.
About the Author :
PHILIP B. MORTENSON studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota. This Is Not a Weasel is his first book.
PHILIP B. MORTENSON studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota. This Is Not a Weasel is his first book.
Review :
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004) "This book is the cat's whiskers." (The Guardian (UK))
"Next time you call someone a weasel, ask yourself: was that what you really meant? Or did you really mean a ferret, a mink, or a polecat? Or maybe an ermine, a fisher, or a marten? Mortenson (B.A., philosophy of science) settles that question and dissects commonly confused terms (e.g., corn vs. maize, frogs vs. toads) in this highly engaging work. He succinctly describes and dispels such misconceptions in short, well-rounded sections drawn from literature, popular use, and ancient lore, followed ultimately by more scholarly natural history resources. Although writing for a lay audience, he is not afraid to frame his explanations using scientific nomenclature. In fact, Mortenson begins the book with a brief yet excellent introduction to nomenclature and taxonomy. His work will appeal to a wide audience, from those with a love of natural history or the history of language to anyone simply looking for an interesting read. Highly recommended for all libraries." (Library Journal)
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004) "This book is the cat's whiskers." (The Guardian (UK))
"Next time you call someone a weasel, ask yourself: was that what you really meant? Or did you really mean a ferret, a mink, or a polecat? Or maybe an ermine, a fisher, or a marten? Mortenson (B.A., philosophy of science) settles that question and dissects commonly confused terms (e.g., corn vs. maize, frogs vs. toads) in this highly engaging work. He succinctly describes and dispels such misconceptions in short, well-rounded sections drawn from literature, popular use, and ancient lore, followed ultimately by more scholarly natural history resources. Although writing for a lay audience, he is not afraid to frame his explanations using scientific nomenclature. In fact, Mortenson begins the book with a brief yet excellent introduction to nomenclature and taxonomy. His work will appeal to a wide audience, from those with a love of natural history or the history of language to anyone simply looking for an interesting read. Highly recommended for all libraries." (Library Journal)
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004) "This book is the cat's whiskers." (The Guardian (UK))
"Next time you call someone a weasel, ask yourself: was that what you really meant? Or did you really mean a ferret, a mink, or a polecat? Or maybe an ermine, a fisher, or a marten? Mortenson (B.A., philosophy of science) settles that question and dissects commonly confused terms (e.g., corn vs. maize, frogs vs. toads) in this highly engaging work. He succinctly describes and dispels such misconceptions in short, well-rounded sections drawn from literature, popular use, and ancient lore, followed ultimately by more scholarly natural history resources. Although writing for a lay audience, he is not afraid to frame his explanations using scientific nomenclature. In fact, Mortenson begins the book with a brief yet excellent introduction to nomenclature and taxonomy. His work will appeal to a wide audience, from those with a love of natural history or the history of language to anyone simply looking for an interesting read. Highly recommended for all libraries." (Library Journal)
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004) "This book is the cat's whiskers." (The Guardian (UK))
"Next time you call someone a weasel, ask yourself: was that what you really meant? Or did you really mean a ferret, a mink, or a polecat? Or maybe an ermine, a fisher, or a marten? Mortenson (B.A., philosophy of science) settles that question and dissects commonly confused terms (e.g., corn vs. maize, frogs vs. toads) in this highly engaging work. He succinctly describes and dispels such misconceptions in short, well-rounded sections drawn from literature, popular use, and ancient lore, followed ultimately by more scholarly natural history resources. Although writing for a lay audience, he is not afraid to frame his explanations using scientific nomenclature. In fact, Mortenson begins the book with a brief yet excellent introduction to nomenclature and taxonomy. His work will appeal to a wide audience, from those with a love of natural history or the history of language to anyone simply looking for an interesting read. Highly recommended for all libraries." (Library Journal)
