first edition Engraved portrait of the author, inserted facing p. 1. [xvi], 336, [8] pp. 8vo
1693 · London
by [Ray, John]
London: S. Smith & B. Walford, 1693. First edition. Engraved portrait of the author, inserted facing p. 1. [xvi], 336, [8] pp. 8vo. Contemporary vellum, titled in ink on spine. Portrait cropped at fore-margin, text toned and foxed. First edition. Engraved portrait of the author, inserted facing p. 1. [xvi], 336, [8] pp. 8vo. John Ray, born in Essex in 1627 as the son of a blacksmith, was one of the major early English parson-naturalists. A graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a major fellow and lecturer at Trinity College, where he also preached. Within the bounds of natural history, he was one of the first naturalists give a biological definition of the concept of a species. He is also known for having promoted the classification of plants and animals based on observation of physical characteristics, rather than the preceeding binary either-or system.
Where most of Ray's work focused on plants, this work is a significant application of Ray's new classification system to animals instead. It gives a synopsis of quadrupedal animals and of snakes, and is often referred to as a 'synopsis of animals and reptiles' in translation. It concludes with an index that allows the reader to easily focus their attention on the selections related to creatures varying from the armadillo to the zebra. ESTC R22056; Wing R405; Keynes 91; Wellcome IV, p. 480. Provenance: Robert S Pirie (bookplate) (Inventory #: 304654)
Where most of Ray's work focused on plants, this work is a significant application of Ray's new classification system to animals instead. It gives a synopsis of quadrupedal animals and of snakes, and is often referred to as a 'synopsis of animals and reptiles' in translation. It concludes with an index that allows the reader to easily focus their attention on the selections related to creatures varying from the armadillo to the zebra. ESTC R22056; Wing R405; Keynes 91; Wellcome IV, p. 480. Provenance: Robert S Pirie (bookplate) (Inventory #: 304654)