LEACH, W.E.

The Zoological Miscellany, being descriptions of new and interesting animals.

Eur 2,800 / USD 3,100
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London, R.P. Nodder & Son, 1814-1817. 3 volumes. 8vo (250 x 155mm). pp. 144; 154, (8); (6), 152, with 150 handcoloured engraved plates. Contemporary boards (rubbed and a bit worn)

The beautiful plates are all engraved by Nodder and depict a great number of new species

A scarce work published as a continuation of Shaw and Nodder's "Naturalists' Miscellany". The beautiful plates are all engraved by Nodder and depict a great number of new species. William Elford Leach (1790-1836) was an English zoologist and marine biologist and assistant keeper of the Zoological Department at the British Museum. "In 1813, when Konig was appointed Keeper of the Natural History Departments, he was given an assistant, William Elford Leach (1790-1836), perhaps one of the more brilliant minds to enter the Museum. In every generation English science has been fortunate in attracting men with intuitive feel for nature who by their gift and enthusiasm infect others and leave their inspiration planted in those who follow. Anyone, who knew Leach and even the greater number who did not, came to revere his memory and example. After over a century and half, in spite of the shortness of his service, he stands out from his contemporaries as a 'profound naturalist'" (Gunther, The Founders of Science at the British Museum p. 49). Many of the plates concern insects, shells and birds. Some foxing and dampstaining mostly affecting the text.

Nissen IVB, 535; Fine Bird Books 87.