British Oribatidae
London: The Ray Society, 1884. Two volumes, both first editions, published 1884 and 1888. Original cloth boards, decorated in blind and in gilt, including "R.S." (for Ray Society) in decoative gilt border upper board, b&w plates. Volume I: pp xi, 336 - , followed by 24 numbered coloured plates and another 7 plates (some coloured) which are lettered A- G. The plates themselves are clean, but the first 23 plates have annotations in pencil to the decriptions facing the plates. The beginning of the plates section has been reinforced with tape, cracked rear hinge. Volume II: pp - 337 - 657, plus plate section, coloured plates numbered 25 - 54, again with pencilled annotations facing the plates. Previous owner's name and date (H.C. Fountain, 1943) in pencil to upper ffep. Boards faded and rubbed to the edges, head and foot of spine of first volume fraying. A good set.
A detailed study of a particular order of mites. Albert D. Michael (1836 - 1927) was an avid microscopist and naturalist who became a world expert on mites. His research was helped by the advent of high-quality microscopes, as demonstrated by the incredibly detailed illustrations of these tiny arthropods shown in this book. Michael served as President of the Royal Microscopical Society and the Quekett Microscopical Club, Vice President of the Ray Society and the Linnean Society, and was a Member of the Zoological Society and the Royal Horticultural Society. "British Oribitidae" was privately published for The Ray Society, a society founded in 1844 and still extant, with the pupose of publishing natural history books. From the library of "H.C. Fountain", a researcher in the classification of marine mites (Halacaridae). Annotated throughout by Fountain. This is a good set of an uncommon book. Item #106035
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