JONSTON, JOHN.

NAEUKEURIGE BESCHRYVING VAN DE NATUUR DER VIERVOETIGE DIEREN, VISSEN EN BLOEDLOOZE WATER-DIEREN, VOGELEN, KRONKELDIEREN, SLANGEN EN DRAKEN. AMSTERDAM, J.J. SCHIPPER, 1660.

      6 parts in 1 vol. Folio. Contemporary vellum with six raised bands and title and author's name in manuscript on spine. With 4 richly engraved titles, and 250 full-page fine engraved plates, showing all kinds of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., including legendary ones. (10), 194; (8), 179, (1), 56; 181, (3); (8), 152; 39, (1) pp. First and only, very important Dutch edition of a curious and comprehensive zoological work by John Jonston (1603-1675), richly illustrated with excellent copper-engravings. The work is divided into 4 main parts. The first part is devoted to the mammals and illustrated with numerous beautifully designed animals on 80 plates, including a unicorn. The second part treats the fishes with numerous illustrations of all kinds of fishes on 48 plates, one more than in the first Latin edition, depicting the sea unicorn, with an extra leaf of explanatory text added as well. To this part a sub-part on other sea-animals, like shell-fishes, polyps, etc. is added, with 20 plates. The third part is devoted to the birds, beautifully illustrated on 62 plates. The fourth and last main part then treats insects, including butterflies, with numerous specimen depicted on 28 plates, and to this part again a sub-part is added on snakes and dragons, illustrated on 12 plates. The Dutch edition was presented to the Japanese ruler Shogun Yoshimune, and it became the only source of knowledge of western zoology in Japan, until in 1750 Jonston was succeeded by an extensive twelve volume compilation, made by the Japanese physicians from a variety of Dutch sources. Even that compilation, according to Boxer, still heavily leaned on Johnston's magnum opus. Good copy.- (Small tear in title page, tear restored plate 29). Nissen, ZBI, 213; Nissen, Schoene Fischbuecher, 82 (Latin ed. with 47 plates); Nissen, Illustr. Vogelbuecher, 481 (Latin ed.); Anker, Bird Books, 234-235 (Latin ed.); Wood 1657 (idem); Dean III, 265; Boxer, Jan Compagnie in Japan, p. 50.