THE FIRST LARGE ENGLISH WORK ON ICHTHYOLOGY

WILLUGHBEII, FRANCISCI. (WILLUGHBY, FRANCIS.).

De Historia Piscium Libri Quatour, Jussu & Sumptibus Sociatatis Regiae Londinensis editi. ... Totum Opus. Recognovit, Coaptavit, Supplevit, Librum etiam primum & secundum integros adjecit Johannes Raius e Societate Regia.

Oxford, Sheldonian, 1686. Folio. Recent full calf with 6 raised bands, ruled and blind-stamped in antique style, morocco label. (8),343,30,(1),(11) pp. Engraved allegorical frontispiece dated 1685, 188 copper engraved plates. Slight browning and small stain at the top. Three plates with a minor tear.

First edition of the first large English work on ichtyology.

The work was a collaboration between Willughby and John Ray, and includes essays on the definition of fish, on their anatomy, and on theory physiology. The work devides fish according into the Aristotelean categories of Cetacei, Cartilaginei, and Spinosi, and includes a description of the reproductive organs and a rejection of the theory of reproduction through spontaneous generation. (Norman Sale 872). The plates were engraved by Poul van Sommers. Wood p.629. Nissen 4417. Wing W-2879.

Order-nr.: 28142