ANIMAL FEET

by George F. Mason ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 9, 1970

The human foot is not a specialized tool like tire animal foot, which is adapted to help the animal live a certain kind of life"": the squirrel's hind Feet are reversible, the better to climb with or hang from; the spider's legs are covered with an oily film that prevents them from adhering to a finished web; the gecko's 20 bristled toes divide to form suction cups 7.8 millionths of an inch in diameter, 2000 such cups per each bristle or sera. The examples go on as the chapters consider methods of walking, running, jumping, swimming, wading, burrowing, digging, scratching, attacking, defending. . . with the various feet and their Functions clearly diagrammed and crisply described in a fluent mix of zoological terms and anecdotal references. No grand scheme emerges, nor any extended relationships, from the casually comparative cataloging; but like Animal Appetites, Baggage, Clothing, Tails, Teeth, Tracks, and the rest, Animal Feet is well-done on its own terms another dependable appendage to the serial study.

Pub Date: Sept. 9, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION