Description:
Two volumes. 4to. xiv, 258; xix, 268, xiii pp. With 124 full-page hand-colored lithograph plates. Contemporary red cloth, gilt title on spine, edges speckled; interior clean and crisp. A gorgeous copy, an important set for any natural history lover. First edition of Volume I, later edition of Volume II. Striking full-page illustrations of moths and caterpillars in their natural habitat, along with scientific descriptions of each. Humphreys became more interested in moths following publication of his work on butterflies. "I became more acquainted with the night-flying tribes of this beautiful class of insects. The British moths are not perhaps so gaily coloured as their more gaudy rivals, the butterflies; but when we consider the splendid sphinges, or twilight fliers, by which they are linked to the day-flying butterflies, they can scarcely be deemed less beautiful." It is impossible not to feel his passion for these insects through the pages of this magnificent work.
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