This is a layman's guide to modern science which combines the off-beat humour of Ingram Pinn's illustrations with text by Timothy Ferris, whose other books include "Coming of Age in the Milky Way" and "The Mind's Sky". The subject matter ranges from chemistry to cosmology and from marine biology to scientific morals, and delves into matters which concern man's environment, economies, personal health and cosmic future. Pinn's work, which generally depicts mankind belittled or bewildered by the world around him, first appeared in "New Scientist" in 1976, and illuminates the theories, issues and discoveries that have occupied scientists in recent years. The 80 watercolours in this book include both published and new work.