Insects of Samoa and other Samoan Terrestrial Arthropods. Part I-IX

Description:

Scarce as complete set. 9 numbered parts: Parts 1+2: Dermaptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera; Part 3: Lepidoptera; Parts 4+5: Coleoptera, Hymenoptera; Part 6: Diptera; Parts 7-9: Other Orders of Insects, Terrestrial Arthropoda other than Insects, Description of Environment, Summary, Addenda et Corrigenda, Index. Two unumbered parts; Maps; Preface, tables of contents, index to contributors etc.

The origins of this remarkable work, are based on a visit to Samoa by Prof. P.A. Buxton and G.H.E. Hopkins in 1924 and 1925, to investigate filariasis in western Samoa for the London School of Tropical Medicine and the New Zealand Government. When work permitted, they collected 20,000 specimens of Samoan insects and other terrestrial arthropods. The British Museum (Natural History) agreed to publish the findings of their work, which included supplementary collections lent by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum and the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association. Fifty-eight authors contributed to the publication, 1,603 species were dealt with in 1,700 pages. N.D. Riley who wrote the preface noted ‘it is interesting to reflect that a dozen years ago, so ignorant were we of the insects of Samoa, that a well-known entomologist (who would be the first to admit his error) gave it as his opinion that ‘half a dozen cigar boxes would easily hold’ the whole of the two years’ catch.

Condition

Vg set in 36 original fascicles as issued.