Fauna Orcadensis: or, the Natural History of the Quadrupeds, Birds, Reptiles, and Fishes of Orkney and Shetland

Description:

First edition. Scarce. Published posthumously from a manuscript in the possession of Wm. Elford Leach. Lacking initial blank leaf (i/ii). George Low (1746-1795), was a Scottish naturalist. In 1768 he went to Stromness, Orkney, as a tutor. The rest of his life was taken up by the study of the natural history of the Orkney Islands. In 1771, Low became a Presbyterian Minister. In 1772, after a visit to Iceland, the explorer and naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820) visited Orkney in the company of the Swedish botanist Dr. Daniel Solander (1736-1782), and physician Dr. James Lind (1716-1794). Through them, Low was able to widen his connections, and in 1774 began a tour of the south islands of Orkney and the whole of the Shetland Islands. In 1774, he was installed as Minister in the Parish of Birsay and Harray, and was able to complete his works on the history and flora and fauna of Orkney.

Condition

4to, later panelled calf, raised bands to spine, gilt rules and motifs to compartments, leather title piece; old stain to front board; darkened section to rear board. Occasional light spotting. Very good.