Johannes Goedartius de Insectis, In Methodum Redactus; cum Notularum Additione. Opera M. Lister ... Item Appendicis ad Historiam Animalium Angliae ... Altera Edito

Description:

An important and expanded Latin edition of Johannes Goedaert's seminal work on entomology, originally titled Metamorphosis Naturalis (1660–1669). This 1685 edition was translated and augmented by the English naturalist and physician Martin Lister (1639–1712) with the addition of a revised and enlarged Appendix to his Historiae animalium Angliae tres tractatus (first published 1681).

There are a total of 21 engraved plates illustrating 150 species of butterflies and moths, approximately 70 beetles and other insects, many showing the various life stages, and several shells and molluscs. In Philosophical Transactions, 14 (20th Dec., 1684, pp. 833–834) Lister provides an account of the reprinting of Johannes Goedartius de Insectis ..., noting that it includes ‘4 plates more, which I had by me, very exquisitely designed, of the beetles and having not the leisure to transcribe and perfect the Tract which they belonged, I did neither number, nor explain them, and therefore I call mute tables’. Johannes Goedaert (1617-1668), a Dutch naturalist and artist, was one of the earliest authors on entomology, and is best known for his illustrations of the metamorphosis of insects, which were largely based on his own observations and experiments. His Metamorphosis Naturalis remains a foundational work in the field. Lister’s Latin edition of 1685 represents the culmination of their shared efforts in the study of insect life, with added scholarly value from Lister’s notes. The fine engravings provide invaluable insight into the early understanding of insect development.

Nissen 1606; Horn-Schenkling 13622; Lisney 46, Keynes, 10.

Condition

8vo (195x118mm), cont. vellum, raised bands to spine, leather title label, chipped. Small leather label to foot of spine, a few small ink stamps: 'Hautes Etudes Géologie'. Paper browned, occasional spotting. A well-preserved copy.