Just finished reading "Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History" by Eric Chaline (Crows Nest,2011). The author devotes 2/3 pages outlining how each animal has impacted on history from either an edible, medicinal, commercial or practical perspective. Some animals, such as the lion, scarab beetle, cobra and bald eagle have " a long history as religious and political symbols". Other animals enabled humans to establish permanent settlement. The author claims the cow as the most "important edible, practical and commercial species" featured in the book. A fascinating read; a book to dip into if you want to know why cochineal, spiny dye-murex, schistosome or the more commonly know oriental rat flea have been important to our history.