A Synopsis of the British Diatomaceae

1853 & 1856, first edition, with 7 colour & 62 black and white plates

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition. Two volumes in one. Hardback, half-leather with marbled paper covered boards. Five raised bands and gilt titling to spine. Marbled page edges. 25.5 × 16cm, xxxiii [1], 89pp, xxix [1], 107pp [4]. Illustrated with seven coloured plates and 62 in black and white.

Full title: A Synopsis of the British Diatomaceae; with Remarks on their Structure, Functions and Distribution; and Instructions for Collecting and Preserving Specimens.

A comprehensive survey of British diatomaceae, members of a large group comprising several genera of algae, the unicellular organisms found in waterways, oceans and soils, and a significant part of the Earth's biomass. A lengthy introduction discusses the habitats, structure, movements, self-division, classification and collection and preserving of diatomaceae. The text for each genus gives a physical description and geographical location of where it has been found. Volume one is illustrated with a colour plate frontis and plates 1–31 in black and white, volume two has a colour plate frontis, plates 32–62, and five further plates in colour.

Condition

This copy is in good condition for age. The boards and spine are rubbed, there is some light scattered foxing mostly to the plates with the text remaining clean. Previous bookseller's catalogue entry to the front pastedown and name plate (with the name inked out). Some brief bibliographic pencil notes to the ffep. The inner binding is sound and secure, and the remaining in strong readable condition.

Further images available on request.