WALKER, George and William BOYS.
Testacea minuta rariora, nuperrime detecta in arena littoris Sandvicensis; ... | A collection of the minute and rare shells lately discovered in the sand of the sea shore near Sandwich.
London, J. March, [1784]. 4to. With 3 engraved plates depicting 90 species of shells. Later purple, gold-tooled half morocco. [1], [1 blank], [1], V, 25, [3 blank] pp.
€ 950
First edition of a work on tiny and miniscule shells found at the seashore near Sandwich (Kent) by the naturalist, surgeon and topographer William Boys (1735-1803). The shells are depicted on three engraved plates ater drawings by George Walker, who studied the shells under the microscope. The text-pages contain a brief description of each shell, with text in both Latin and English. The work starts with a dedication to the Duchess of Portland and Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), the famous naturalist who took part in Captain Cook's first great voyage, followed by an introduction.
Some minor spotting, otherwise in very good condition. ESTC T97429; Nissen, ZBI 524.
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