The book is divided into sections. After an introduction on why some plants are not commercially cultivated and basic growing instructions, the book launches into the plants themselves: greens, roots, fruits, seeds, grains and flavors.

For each plant there is a black and white illustration, the Latin name and botanical family information, hardiness and height information and a suggestion of where to include the plant in a vegetable garden rotation system.

This is followed with a brief history of the plant, details about uses (and where Hickmott has not personally tried using the plant, he says so), detailed cultivation instructions and a list of varieties - where they exist. The text is fascinating in its own right and will inspire you to try many things you had not previously known about.

There are plants here from all over the world, but they should all grow in a temperate climate - although some may need some protection.

At the back of the book there is a glossary of the horticultural terms used and a list of (UK) suppliers. There are also two useful indexes - one of common and alternative names and one of Latin names.

An excellent reference book and practical handbook for growing unusual plants, this is a book that would grace any kitchen gardener's bookshelf - and be read and re-read for many years to come.

Another unusual but interesting part is when Michael finds lots of pellets. They seem to be from an owl because of it being rat's and insect's bones. But the unusual part is that the pellets are glued together not woven with bits of hair and stuff like an owls pellet. Even if it was an owl, apparently it is unusual to find any sort near by. Meaning it might be from the food Skellig eats because he eats lots of insects and bluebottles. This is another bizarre thing about Skellig found out in this chapter.

So far there have only been things about him being non human but one thing that makes you think he must be human is that his favorite food is Chinese food.

Other than Skellig there were other things in this chapter that make it interesting like the really strange dreams Michael keeps having. Like the one where he keeps seeing birds and hearing strange songs being song by a bird. Another dream that was started in this chapter is at the end when in his dream he wakes up in a nest like bed of twigs with more weird sounds.

So this is definitely enough proof of this being a very interesting part of the novel. Another thing I have to point out is that this part leaves you in suspense and makes you read on because it is so interesting and exciting.