Essays on the Microscope; Containing a Practical Description of the Most Improved Microscopes; A General History of Insects, their Transformantions, Peculiar Habitats, and Oeconomy

Description:

An account of the various species, and singular properties, of the Hydrae and Vorticellae: a description of three hundred and eighty-three Animalcula: With a concise catalogue of interesting objects: a view of the organization of timber, and the configuration of salts, when under the microscope.

First edition. Allegorical frontis, after T.S. Duché, 'Truth discovering to Time, Science instructing her children on the Improvements on the Microscope'. Plates 2, 7, 23 and 24 are double plates (A + B).

Nissen ZBI, 24; Horn-Schenkling, 39.

George Adams, Jr. (1750-1795), was the son of the well-known English scientific instrument maker of the same name. His father George Admas Sr. (1709-1772) was mathematical instrument maker to George III and published 'Micrographia illustrata; or, The Knowledge of the Microscope Explain'd' (1746). He invented the lucernal microscope, a type of projection microscope where the image is projected on a screen by a large oil lamp, as to make it easier to draw or trace the image. George Adams, Jr. succeeded his father in the business, and as mathematical instrument maker to the King, and published a number of scientific works, including the current title. The book contains chapters on the history of the microscope; the most improved microscopes; use and utility of microscope in the study of natural history, introducing the reader to the Linnean system in relation to insects, their transformations, and anatomy; natural history of freshwater Hydra; Infusoria; timber as viewed by the microscope; crystallization of salts; description of minute and rare shells; instruction for collecting and preserving insects, and more.

Condition

2 vols: Text: 4to (275x215mm), recent (20th century) half leather, marbled boards, raised bands. Lacks 4T2 (pp. 723-724, the final page of the 'Catalogue of Mathematical and Philosophical Instruments made and sold by George Adams', which follows the Index). Half-title, frontis and title with marginal browing/old water staining (also occurring occasionally elsewhere), some spotting/foxing. Frontis closely trimmed, just touching outer edge of image and publisher line at bottom edge. Book-plate of John Richard Millburn. Plates separately bound (unfolded), oblong-4to (297x410mm), later (19th century) half leather, minor wear, a few ink spots and scuff marks to cloth boards; front inner hinge reinforced. Small stain and old tape repair to bottom edge of front endpaper; a few spots and old marginal water stains. Previous owner's name to title page 'Richd Harwood Moore, Bath' (1839-1910, High Bailiff, Bath County Court), with his often copious annotations referring to the images on 25 of the plates.