Category Archives: Biology

Poem of the Week: let’s hear it for descent with variations

Posted on February 16, 2007 by cicada

Let’s be honest: biologists sometimes get a little intoxicated by the beauty of the natural world. My friends know I will break off mid-conversation to crawl into the brush, mesmerized by a snake or a liverwort. My good china is … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Poetry, Science, Wonder Cabinets | 3 Comments

Now, that’s meritorious

Posted on February 14, 2007 by cicada

Science scouts: much better than plain old girl scouts! Is it scary that I would qualify for so many merit badges? Actually, I could invent a few more, such as “I have administered illegal drugs of abuse to insects,” but … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Cephalopodmania, Frivolity, Science | 2 Comments

A tree of life? More like wildflowers

Posted on February 14, 2007 by cicada

Phylogenetic Tree Visualization I don’t really understand how this representation was created, beyond the involvement of a Walrus; but it’s amazing. According to the source: This picture is a visualisation of the entire tree of life. The tree of life … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Science | Comments Off

A little reading is a dangerous thing

Posted on February 13, 2007 by cicada

I’ve been reading more than posting for the past week, and have a collection of odds, ends and lint to pass on. I have a love/hate relationship with the New Yorker. It’s just too much reading for me to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Frivolity, Poetry, Science, Science in culture & policy | 1 Comment

Greetings, Birders

Posted on February 8, 2007 by cicada

Hello to all new visitors meandering over from I and the Bird #42, hosted by Neurophilosophy. Isn’t Vladimir Gvozdev amazing? I can’t claim to be an ornithologist, but I do have a weakness for bird art. I find a bird … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Science | 3 Comments

Jessica Joslin

Posted on February 6, 2007 by cicada

Enzo & Donato Brass, bone, fur, cast/painted plastic, glass eyes Jessica Joslin, 2004 Jessica Joslin’s work is exactly what this blog is about: straddling the awkward rift between biological specimen and art object, and doing so with grace and charm. … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Wonder Cabinets | 2 Comments

Gregory Colbert: ashes and snow codex

Posted on February 3, 2007 by cicada

from ashes and snow, 2002 Gregory Colbert Photographer Gregory Colbert’s striking images of animals interacting with people have appeared in various venues since 2002; up next is a Tokyo exhibition, starting in March 2007. Colbert’s work is not collaged or … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Photography | 5 Comments

Remember that one time, when God did that thing?

Posted on January 31, 2007 by cicada

Slate blogs the Bible, by David Plotz I’m really enjoying the archives of this Slate series. I’ve planned to go back and re-read the Bible for some time now, but you know – it’s so darn long. Every page provokes … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Education, Science in culture & policy | 5 Comments

Juxtaposition

Posted on January 28, 2007 by cicada

59 People and 1 Cat Fabric and Photo Transfer Camille Whiteman Wooden case containing sixty small phrenological heads plaster and wood William Bally, 1831

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Museum Lust, Science | Comments Off

Medical illustration: future and past

Posted on January 27, 2007 by cicada

If you read my earlier post on anatomical representations of the female reproductive organs, you are familiar with Jan van Rymsdyk’s landmark engravings of a dissected full-term uterus. Thanks to Street Anatomy, an interesting new medical illustration blog, I see … Continue reading →