Arcana, or, The museum of natural history
Subtitle: containing the most recent discovered objects : embellished with coloured plates, and corresponding descriptions : with extracts relating to animals, and remarks of celebrated travellers; combining a general survey of nature
Contributors: Busby, Thomas Lord, engraver; Mathews, Gregory M. (Gregory Macalister), 1876-1949; Braikenridge, George Weare, 1775-1856, former owner; Richmond, Charles Wallace, 1868-1932, former owner
Publisher: Printed by George Smeeton for James Stratford
Published: 1811
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 84
Subjects: Natural history; Pictorial works
Other titles: Arcana; Museum of natural history; Perry's Arcanae naturae; "Perry's Arcana"--an overlooked work.
Notes: Dedication leaf is signed George Perry.

The work was issued in parts, and probably began to appear in 1810, for the earlier plates are marked as published on Jan. 1st of that year.

Plates designed by G. Perry and engraved by T.L. Busby.

Plates are hand-colored.

extracted picklist 20081216 BHLEX

SCNHRB copy (39088015053044) imperfect: t.p. supplied in pencilled ms.

SCNHRB copy has inside back cover pocket: Mathews, Gregory M. "Perry's Arcana" : an overlooked work. [Melbourne] 1912 (p. 7-16); this pamphlet, re-printed from The Victorian naturalist, provides a description of Perry's Arcana.

SCNHRB copy has armorial bookplate of George Weare Braikenridge, Broomwell House.

SCNHRB copy has pencilled ms. note attached to front free endpaper, signed CWR.

SCNHRB copy stamped on dedication leaf: Smithsonian Institution National Museum Richmond Collection. Inscribed on verso: CW Richmond.

SCNHRB copy half bound in calf and marbled paper boards, title in gilt on spine, marbled edges, blue endpapers.
Table of contents: title: Zoology; title: Ornithology; title: Entomology; title: Ichthyology; title: Botany; title: Conchology; title: Extracts from Dr. Winterbottom's travels; title: Mr. Patterson's travels in Africa; title: Extract of a tour, by Mr. Glas; title: Extracts from Barrow's travels in China.