Herpetology

It's not what you think. Unless you think it's the study of reptiles and amphibians. Then it is what you think because that is exactly what it is. Good job.

Why is it on my mind? You don't ask but would if you were stuck beside me on a plane and I kept going on and on about it. I've been researching Melville lately. Why you ask? None of your damned business. God, when did you get so nosy? Anyway, I found this article on "The Herpetology of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick." It discusses his "herpetological awareness." What is your herpetological awareness?

Melville on Blogging

"I talk all about myself, and this is selfishness and egotism. Granted. But how help it? I am writing to you; I know little about you, but something about myself so I write about myself, -- at least, to you. Don't trouble yourself, though, about writing; and don't trouble yourself about visiting; and when you do visit, don't trouble yourself about talking. I will do all the writing and visiting and talking myself."

--from a letter to Nathaniel Hawthorne from Herman Melville