An Accentuated List of the British Lepidoptera, with Hints on the Derivation of the Names

Description:

Published by the Entomological Societies of Oxford and Cambridge. An interesting work combining a systematic list of British butterflies and moths with guidance on the pronunciation and derivation of their scientific names. The Preface states ‘The want of uniformity in the pronunciation of scientific names, and the consequent difficulty of communication between the less-educated, but often more practical, men of science, is an admitted evil’. The accentuation of the names indicates the syllables to be stressed, addressing the inconsistencies that arose in the spoken use of Latin and Greek scientific terminology.

The extensive preliminary pages include interesting notes on authors, and nomenclators cited as authorities. An important contribution to the standardisation of scientific nomenclature in nineteenth-century British entomology, reflecting contemporary efforts to promote greater consistency in the communication of natural history.

Condition

8vo, orig. cloth, minor wear to extremities; fading/light staining to edge of front board. Light scattered foxing. Good.