In this week's magazine Easter special

25 April 2011

Observations
- The formula of life: the maths behind a zebra's stripes, and a leopard's spots
  Biology is undergoing a renaissance as scientists apply mathematical ideas to old theory.
  By Ian Stewart
- Science and religion don't have to be enemies
  Richard Dawkins called him a "compliant quisling" for accepting the Templeton Prize. Here, Martin Re
  By Martin Rees
Columns
- Laurie Penny: put the vendetta aside and vote Yes to AV
  Petty revenge politics does nothing but reduce us to the level of Westminster.
  By Laurie Penny
Features
- Behind the Irish crisis
  The new coalition government portrays the crushing defeat of Fianna Fail as a cathartic, revolutiona
  By Maurice Walsh
- The Week so Far
  By Staff blogger
Critics
- “Rain”: a short story by Alexander McCall Smith
  A chance encounter at a party brings two people together. On the damp streets of Glasgow, they discover what it means to be a parent.
  By Alexander McCall Smith
- The Perfumier and the Stinkhorn
  The naturalist Richard Mabey’s latest book shows how human beings best find health and pleasure not
  By John Gray
- "Procedure for Disposal"
  Clive James's poem about his illness, published in the New Statesman magazine in 2011.
  By Clive James
- The Secrets of Scott's Hut
  Rachel Cooke is deeply bored by Ben Fogle’s endless enthusiasm.
  By Rachel Cooke
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