The World's Encyclopedia of Wonders and Curiosities

Everything a Victorian found astonishing, gathered into one enormous volume — burning springs and buried cities, freaks of storm and flood, the habits of bees and the manners of nations, filed under headings like “Curiosities Respecting Man.”

Curiosities-Serpents and Worms

5 pages in this part of Wonders and Curiosities.

The Boa Constrictor

than pin's points; and they are deposited in a web, which they spin from their bodies, and carry about with them till they are hatched. As…

Fascination of Serpents. the Caterpillar

"The fears with which he at first inspired us having subsided, we were able to examine him attentively. I estimate, that his length is at…

The Silk-Worm

from right te left, which enables it to press, cut, and tear the leaves in every direction. Along the whole length of its back we perceive…

The Tape-Worm

convey the aliment. Surrounding the opening of the mouth, are placed a number of projecting radii, which are of a fibrous texture, and…

The Silk-Worm (Tant beings in the great chain)

tant beings in the great chain of creation, and pleasing demonstrations of the infinitely wise and gracious Power, which formed, and still…

Rights & ReuseThe complete text of Wonders and Curiosities (1900) is in the public domain in the United States — like all works published before 1928 — and is free to read, download, quote, teach from, and reuse. This digital edition (its transcription, restored images, and site design) is © 2026 PhotoOpAI, and any editorial commentary we add is clearly marked as ours; the underlying public-domain text carries no such restriction.