Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus libri
Subtitle: cum aeneis figuris; [Historiae naturalis de serpentibus libri II ; Historiae naturalis de insectis libri III ; Historiae naturalis de exanguibus aquaticis libri IV ; Historiae naturalis de piscibus et cetis libri V ; Historiae naturalis de avibus libri VI]
By: Iohannes Ionstonus med. doctor concinnauit
Contributors: Merian, Matthaeus, 1621-1687, ill; Merian, Matthaeus, 1593-1650, publisher; Godman, Frederick Du Cane, 1834-1919, former owner; Bayer, Frederick M., former owner; Marggraf, Georg, 1610-1644; Burndy Library
Publisher: Impensis haeredum Math: Meriani
Published: 1650
Place of publication: Francofurti ad Moenum
Language: lat
Subjects: Animals; Snakes; Insects; Crustacea; Pre-Linnean works; Early works to 1800; Fishes; Zoology; Birds
Work titles: Historia naturalis
Notes: Each part has its own title page and separate pagination. Part 1 (De quadrupedibus [i.e.quadripedibus]) is undated; Nissen gives its date as 1650. Part 2-3 (De serpentis and De insectis) are dated 1653. Part 4 (De exanguibus aquaticis) is dated 1650. Part 5 (De piscibus et cetis) is undated; Nissen gives its date as 1650. Part 6 (De avibus) is dated 1650.

Pagination: Part 1 (De quadripetibus) 231, [5] p.; pt. 2 (De serpentibus) 40, [4] p., plates 1-12; pt. 3 (De insectis) 200, [8] p., plates 1-28; pt. 4 (De exanguibus aquaticis) 78, [12] p., plates 1-20; pt. 5 (De piscibus et cetis) 228 p., plates 1-47; pt. 6 (De avibus) [2], 227, [9] p., plates 1-62.

Engraved t.p.s; woodcut publisher's device and head- and tail-pieces, initials; side-notes.

Publisher varies (Impensa Matthaei Meriani; Ex bibliopolio Haeredum Merianaeorum; and Impensis Haeredum Merianorum).

Part 6 (De avibus) contains: "De avibus brasilianis: ex Georgii Marcgravij Historici naturali Brasiliae": p. 186-214.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

BL German, 1601-1700, J225

Nissen, C. Zoologische Buchillustration, I, 2131-2135

extracted picklist 20081216 BHLEX

SCDIRB and SCNHRB each have incomplete copies.

SCDIRB copy 39088016900888 has pt. 2-6 (De serpentibus; De insectis; De exanguibus aquatis; De piscibus et cetis; De avibus), all bound together in 1 v. Some of the plates are bound out of order.

SCDIRB copy has bookplates: 1. (armorial) Frederick DuCane Godman, with motto: Coelum quid quaerimus ultra; 2. Burndy Library ... gift of Bern Dibner. There are a few old handwritten brief notes in ink in the volume.

SCDIRB copy has a contemporary full vellum binding with the title inked on the spine.

SCNHRB copy has pt. 1-6, bound in 4 v. Volume 1 (39088016899460) has pt. 1 (De quadripetibus); v. 2  (39088016899502) has pt 6 (De avibus); v. 3 (39088016899437) has pt. 5 and 4 (De piscibus et cetis and De exanguibus aquatis); v. 4 (39088016899478) has pt. 3 and 2 (De insectis and De serpentibus).

SCNHRB copy is imperfect: pt. 1 (De quadripetibus) is wanting plates 30 & 40, and the final leaf is damaged and repaired, with some loss of text; pt. 4 (De exanguibus aquatis) is wanting 4 plates and p. [3]-[6] at end. Some plates in the set have been damaged with slight loss of text, and many plates are not bound in sequential order.

SCNHRB copy has bookplate: Smithsonian Institution Libraries. Gift of Dr. Frederick M. Bayer.

SCNHRB copy has inscription on 2nd leaf of each v.: Franciscus Goater Aldermannus Cicestrensis et Pharmacopaeus Sum[m]us D.D. Bibliothecae D. & Cap. Cicestriae A.D. 1734.

SCNHRB copy bound in recent brown goatskin, blind rules; spine with raised bands and black leather spine labels; with Bayer monogram stamp on verso of t.p. and last leaf.
Table of contents: title: Pt. 1. De quadripedibus; title: pt. 2. De serpentibus; title: pt. 3. De insectis; title: pt. 4. De exanguibus aquatis; title: pt. 5. De piscibus et cetis; title: pt. 6. De avibus.