A System of Vegetables, according to their Classes, Orders, Genera, Species, with their Characters and Differences. Vol. I-II. By a Botanical Society, at Lichfield

Description:

Translated from the thirteenth edition (as published by Dr. Murray) of the Systema Vegetabilium [1774] of the late Professor Linneus; and from the Supplementum Plantarum [1781] of the present Professor Linneus. With the separately-titled Alphabetical Catalogue of English and Scotch Names of Plants (1784) at the end of Vol. II.

Complete with 11 engraved plates. This important English translation of Linnaeus was produced by the Lichfield Botanical Society founded by Erasmus Darwin. The society, whose membership consisted only of Darwin, Sir Brooke Boothby and John Jackson, was established to translate and disseminate the works of Linnaeus and played a significant role in popularising Linnaean botany among English readers. Particularly notable is the translators' acknowledgement of Samuel Johnson's assistance in the formation of English botanical terminology.

'The labours of Linneus are generally acknowledged to have best supplied this great source of future improvement, and yet his works have not hitherto appeared in the English language. […] We propose to give a literal and accurate translation of the Systema Vegetabilium of Linneus, which unfolds and describes the whole of his ingenious and elaborate system of vegetation. […] we should here make our most grateful acknowledgements to […] Dr. Linneus, the present Botanic Professor at Upsal, for supplying us with a part of his Supplementum Plantarum, before the whole was published; to the great Master of the English tongue Dr. Samuel Johnson, for his advice in the formation of the botanic language […], and many other of the learned and ingenious.' (from the Preface of the Translators).

Soulsby 580a; Stafleu & Cowan 4844a

Condition

2 vols, 8vo (217x138mm), cont. full calf, gilt tooled borders, raised bands and gilt floral motifs to spine compartments. Bindings lightly rubbed, minor wear, short splits to top of front joints. Occasional light foxing. From the library of Hampshire ornithologist, Michael Bryant, with his bookplate. A well-preserved and attractive set of this scarce and important early English translation of Linnaeus.