WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Is it cougar or puma, bison or buffalo, octopus or squid? Counting the big cats, which (unlike the others) are the same species, Lacey presents eight groups of animals whose names are often confused or misapplied, explaining exactly how they differ and citing many specifics—conformation, habits, habitat, reproduction, etc.—to detail her comparisons. The approach is laudably scientific, with sizes and common and Latin names in the text (the latter are also summarized in a glossary); Lacey also supplies enough other intriguing facts to give a good sense of each animal. Audubon Society illustrator Shetterly provides strikingly vigorous pen drawings, clarifying the differences and zooming in on some anatomical details. An excellent book, built on an ever-fascinating subject and illuminating both animal classification and the evolution of language. Bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 8-12)