Any recommendations for books giving a general history of any of the natural sciences, with a particular attention to how the great biologists, botanists, and zoologists, etc. approached problems of classification and conceptualization of their phenomena (e.g. like how Linnaeus came up with his taxonomy)? Not looking for great technical detail so much as how these scientists thought and responded to each others' thoughts.
posted by shivohum on Jul 12, 2009 - 17 answers

I'd like to learn about biology. Can you recommend some books to get me started? [more inside]
posted by SamuelBowman on Jun 30, 2009 - 21 answers

Is there a name for this kind of leg? Specifically, in mammals or birds? I swear I once read an article discussing typical folkloric drawings of the Devil wherein he was described as having the ________ legs of a goat. Google and Wikipedia have failed me, as have my well-educated friends. I'm starting to wonder if I never actually read the article, and perhaps it was some kind of vivid, reading dream.
posted by johnbaskerville on Feb 4, 2009 - 16 answers

Do beavers move rocks? [more inside]
posted by floam on Sep 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Why are there no freshwater squid?
posted by jonesor on Mar 1, 2007 - 9 answers

Why do warm climates seem to have more poisonous animals than cold ones?
posted by gimonca on Jul 3, 2004 - 8 answers