The Letters of Rusticus on the Natural History of Godalming

Description:

First edition, compiled from letters which first appeared in Magazine of Natural History, The Entomological Magazine and The Entomologist. With attractive woodcut illustrations to text, some in the style of Thomas Bewick. Includes observations on the natural history of Godalming, south-west Surrey, and the surrounding country, as well as pioneering observations on the life-histories of insects injurious to agriculture. Newman published the original letters, and this work anonymously. In The Memoirs of Edward Newman by his son (Van Voorst, 1876), it is stated, 'Much of the information on the birds and mammals of Godalming … was gleaned from his kind friend and frequent companion William Kidd, who now in his eighty-eighth year, still lives at Godalming; and modesty prevented Mr. Newman from assuming the authorship when the facts were not all his own'. Edward Newman (1801-1876) was an English entomologist and botanist who wrote a number of books on natural history, as well as editing several journals such as The Zoologist and The Entomologist. He was also a printer and publisher, and this book was printed by him.

Condition

8vo, orig. red cloth, worn, lacking backstrip, rear board almost detached. Internally good.