Crustaceans
In Opulent Oceans Dr. Stiassny devotes an essay to the work of Mark Catesby (1683-1749), the English explorer who documented the natural world of early Colonial America. The complete title of the volume shows the breadth of his work: The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama islands : containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects, and plants : particularly, the forest-trees, shrubs, and other plants, not hitherto described, or very incorrectly figured by authors : together with their descriptions in English and French : to which, are added observations on the air, soil, and waters : with remarks upon agriculture, grain, pulse, roots.... Crabs were included in his studies, such as this example, above, of an orange land crab grasping a plant. Dr. Stiassny includes some of Catesby's observations of crabs he encountered in her essay. Crustaceans from other works in the Museum Library's Rare Book Collection can be seen at the left.
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