Contents
Copyright
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Three Old Men
Part I: A Parliament of Monsters
The Dragon and the Tartar Lamb
A Melancholy Ailment
An Ark Abducted
The Exquisite Art of Dr Ruysch
Part II: A Complete History of Butterflies
This Curious Old Gentleman
The Mastodon and the Taxonomy of Memory
Angelus Novus
The Greatness of Empires
An Elevator to the Heavens
Part III: Incantations
Why Boiling People is Wrong
Three Flying Ducks
Anglers and Utopias
A Theatre of Memories
Part IV: The Tower of Fools
A Veritable Vello-Maniac
Leporello and His Master
Mr Soane is Not at Home
Epilogue: Plastic Cups and Mausoleums
Bibliography
Index