Bowhead whale
Date
1811
Creator
Edward Mitchell (British) , Engraver
After
William Scoresby (1789 - 1857, British) , Scientist
Object type
Library reference
RCN32515
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 125mm
width (print): 211mm
width (print): 211mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Marine zoological study of the Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus, also known as the Greenland right whale. Side view.
Plate 12 accompanying the paper ‘Account of the Balaena mysticetus, or Great Northern or Greenland whale’, by William Scoresby junior, Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, v.1 1808-1810, pp.578-586 (Edinburgh, 1811). Inscribed above: ‘Plate XII to front p.586’. Inscribed below: ‘W.Scoresby Junr. delt. Engrd. by E. Mitchell.’
The accompanying text states that: ‘Hitherto no accurate representation of this vast animal has appeared in the writings of zoologists. The drawing here engraved I executed in Greenland, and its accuracy was proved, by finding that it agreed in every particular with the numerous individuals I afterwards met with in the Arctic Ocean.’
William Scoresby junior (1789-1857) British Arctic scientist and Church of England clergyman was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1824.
Plate 12 accompanying the paper ‘Account of the Balaena mysticetus, or Great Northern or Greenland whale’, by William Scoresby junior, Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, v.1 1808-1810, pp.578-586 (Edinburgh, 1811). Inscribed above: ‘Plate XII to front p.586’. Inscribed below: ‘W.Scoresby Junr. delt. Engrd. by E. Mitchell.’
The accompanying text states that: ‘Hitherto no accurate representation of this vast animal has appeared in the writings of zoologists. The drawing here engraved I executed in Greenland, and its accuracy was proved, by finding that it agreed in every particular with the numerous individuals I afterwards met with in the Arctic Ocean.’
William Scoresby junior (1789-1857) British Arctic scientist and Church of England clergyman was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1824.
Associated place