U., E. M.

Drawings with explanations intended to illustrate Linnaeus's 'System of Vegetables', and particularly adapted to the 'Letters on the Elements of Botany' [by J. J. Rousseau], done from the Plates of Thomas Martin, B.D. E.M.U. Illustrated with 38 full-page water-colours of plants. The 'Advertisement' states: 'Six drawings are done to illustrate Rousseau's six Letters on the most remarkable Natural Classes, the rest are intended to explain the Classes of Linnaeus's System in their order-except the thirty-fourth which exhibits figures of the most remarkable Nectaries.' Produced in London.

1799

1 volume 80 ll. (first & last 2 bl.). 8vo. 20 × 121/2 cm. Original calf binding.

Purchased 1928.

The 'Thomas Martin, B.D.' mentioned in the title is Thomas Martyn [1735-1825], F.R.S. (1786), professor of botany at Cambridge [1762-1825]. The first edition of this work appeared in 1785. The drawings of which this MS. contains copies are by Thomas Martyn [fl. 1760-1816] Natural History draughtsman and pamphleteer, who set up an 'Academy of Drawing' at 10 Marlborough St., London, and E.M.U. must have been one of his pupils [see the Dictionary of National Biography].

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).