An Introduction to Entomology; or, Elements of the Natural History of Insects:

KIRBY, William., and SPENCE, William

Published by Longman, 1856

About this Item

KIRBY, William., and SPENCE, William. An Introduction to Entomology; or, Elements of the Natural History of Insects: comprising an account of noxious and useful insects, of their metamorphoses, food, stratagems, habitations, societies, motions, noises, hybernation, instinct, etc. etc. Seventh edition, with an appendix relative to the origin and progress of the work. xxviii, 607, [1], [2] advert, 24pp publisher?s catalogue. Original blind and gilt stamped cloth, with beetle motif on the upper board. Some wear to the head and tail of the spine, and upper joint. Owner?s name and name-stamp on front end paper. 8vo. Longman. 1856. ~ William Kirby and William Spence's Introduction to Entomology is generally recognized as one of the founding texts of entomological science in English. This is the first printing of the final lifetime edition, which has been greatly expanded, with a new appendix. Unlike the works in French and German, there had not been any work so comprehensive published in English before. In his ?Preface? to the first edition, Spence explained: ?One principal cause of the little attention paid to Entomology in this country,? was that there had been ?ridicule so often thrown upon the science.? Botanists were ?sheltered now by the sanction of fashion,? but ?in the minds of most men, the learned as well as the vulgar, the idea ofthe trifling nature of this pursuit is so strongly associated with that of the diminutive size of its objects, that an Entomologist is synonymous with every thing futile and childish.?.

Seller Inventory # 161943

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Introduction to Entomology; or, Elements of the Natural History of Insects:
• Publisher: Longman
• Publication Date: 1856
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Natural History