When we read the book of nature what do we read there All things bright and beautiful all creatures great and small all things wise and wonderful the Lord God made them all says a wellknown hymn. This issue of Plough celebrates the creatures of our planet plant animal and human and the implications of humankinds relationship to nature. But if nature can be read as a book that reveals the wisdom of its Creator it also reveals things less lovely than stars and singing birds a world of despe