A Monograph of the British Phytophagous Hymenoptera (Tenthredo, Sirex and Cynips, Linne). Vol. I-IV

Description:

Complete in 4 volumes. 600 copies of vols I-III and 500 of vol. IV were printed and stocks of vols I-III still held by the Ray Society in 1918 were reduced to 75 copies of each. [Curle, Bibliographical History of the Ray Society, 1954, p. 60].

Most of Peter Cameron’s (1847-1912) life was spent employed working in the dye industry and later in calico printing. His interest lay in the Hymenoptera and in spite of ill health and extreme poverty was still to become a significant entomological author. This work is considered one of his most important works. A review of the first volume, published in Annals and Magazine of Natural History Ser. 5, vol 10 pp 471-474 states’ ..we most sincerely congratulate Mr. Cameron on the admirable manner in which he has performed his task: throughout we find traces of the most careful and conscientious investigation’.

Condition

4 vols, 8vo, orig. cloth, gt., teg, some rubbing, spines slightly faded, spotting to edges. Some foxing; one caption leaf loose with short tear to outer margin. Vg. With ownership signature of William Brodrick (1814-1888) to endpaper of Vols I & II. Brodrick was a natural historian and artist, who produced the illustrations for 'Falconry in the British Isles' by F.H. Salvin & W. Brodrick (1855). Brodrick died in 1888 before Vols III + IV were published; these are added here to make up the set. Bookplate of later owner to Vol. IV.