shellfish
Conchology, or, The Natural History of Shells
English architect, George Perry (b. 1771) authored this groundbreaking scientific book on conchology, the study of shells. It is the only shell book illustrated with hand-colored aquatint plates by the engraver John Clarke. The illustrations were based on natural specimens mostly from private collections and the British Museum, including shells from across the globe, from Sri Lanka to New Zealand. Some names assigned to shells by Perry are still in use today.
A Monograph on the Sub-Class Cirripedia
Volume One of A monograph of the sub-class Cirripedia, with figures of all the species was written by Charles Darwin in 1851 to cover the Lepadidæ, or pedunculated cirripedes. Lepadidæ are a family of goose barnacles described by Darwin. His study of barnacles, both living and in fossils, helped him understand how the species diversity developed over time, which was an important factor in his writing On the Origin of Species.
The Edible Mollusks of Great Britain and Ireland
Equal parts science and culture, this charming book provides a scientific and gastronomic tour of the British Isles through the lens of Mollusca. The book describes both the appearance and habitat of various species of ‘British mollusks’ using their Latin (taxonomic) names, while also providing the reader with numerous variations on preparing these creatures for consumption. Recipes hail from all across Europe. The book features 12 colored plates and its cover is adorned with a golden snail upon a leaf.
Natural History of the American Lobster
Francis Hobart Herrick (1858-194) was a professor of biology, illustrator, and author who focused his research on shellfish and wild birds. However, Herrick’s primary passion centered on the lobster. Rich in illustrations and charts, Natural History of the American Lobster (1911) examines topics such as the natural history and development of the lobster along with its habits, natural enemies, anatomy, and physiology.
Aquatilium Animalium Historiae
Ippolito Salviani's book on aquatic animals is renowned as one of the three 16th century works that established ichthyology as a modern science; SIL holds the other two and this completes the trio. A professor of medicine at the University of Rome and physician to several Popes, Salviani collected fishes in the markets of Rome for anatomical examination to support his systematic studies, correcting and expanding the works of ancient authors (Aristotle, Pliny, et al.).
