Buy this book on-line

Wood, W : Zoography; or, the Beauties of Nature Displayed. in Select Descriptions from The Animal, And Vegetable, with additions from The Mineral Kingdom. Systematically Arranged - Vol 1

Cadell and Davies, in The Strand, London ; Richard Taylor and Co., London (printer), 1807

572 pages (complete). A RARE copy of this fascinating, early book of Natural History. Volume One only. The book is held in the Royal Collection, The Met and The British Museum. It's illustrations are of particular importance and interest. Wood, a trained surgeon, but also better known for his sea shells, was a vivid writer. This tale about the hyaena: "One night, at a feast near the Cape, a trumpeter who had got himself well filled with liquor, was carried out of doors in order to cool and sober him. The scent of him soon attracted a tiger-wolf, which threw him on his back, and dragged him along with him like a corpse, and consequently a fair prize, up towards Table mountain. Mean time, however, our drunken musician awaked, sufficiently sensible to know the danger of his situation, and to sound the alarm with his trumpet, which he carried fastened to his side. The wild beast, as may easily be imagined, was not less frightened in his turn, and the trumpeter escaped. . It has been very properly remarked, that any but a trumpeter, in such a situation, would have furnished the animal with a supper." Bound in quarter leather. The marbled boards have wear, marks, scuffing. They are steady and sound. The leathered spine and corners also have wear, but are benign and benevolent. The contents are most agreeable. They do have neat pencilled annotations, but are clean, clear, just a little aged, confident, generous, neat, companionable. fk. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Hardcover. Jacket: No Jacket

First Edition.

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.