Madagascan partridge
Date
1688
Creator
Richard Waller (1660 - 1715, British) , Naturalist
After
the elder Le Clerc (1637 - 1714, French) , Artist
Object type
Library reference
57977
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (page): 300mm
width (page): 200mm
height (print): 205mm
width (print): 155mm
width (page): 200mm
height (print): 205mm
width (print): 155mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Zoological and anatomical study of a Madagascan partridge, Margaroperdix madagarensis, referred to here as a ’Pintado’. It is shown in left profile on a rocky plain, beyond which a body of water and bridge is visible [below]. Above are isolated studies of its feathers, lungs, heart, liver and gallbladder.
Inscribed above: ‘pag. 174’
Written in the associated explanation: ‘As to other particulars, the Ten which we describe, had all that is remarkable in this viz. the Tail turned downwards as it is in Partridges, the Neck and Leggs longer than Partridges are; the Feet provided with Membranes after the manner of Water-Fowl; the Head covered with a Casque; the top of the Beak garnished with two Appendices; and the whole Plumage black, or dark-gray, Spekled with white Spotts.’
Unnumbered plate from a translated edition of Charles Perrault’s Memoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux: Memoir's for a natural history of animals containing the anatomical descriptions of several creatures dissected by the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, Englished by A.P. (London, 1688). A work of comparative anatomy featuring specimens from the Royal menageries at Vincennes and Versailles.
Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a French author, naturalist and member of the Académie Française. The translator (‘A. P’), Alexander Pitfeild (c.1658-1728), was a merchant and Fellow of the Royal Society, elected in 1684, Council Member throughout the late 17th century and Treasurer between 1700-1728.
Inscribed above: ‘pag. 174’
Written in the associated explanation: ‘As to other particulars, the Ten which we describe, had all that is remarkable in this viz. the Tail turned downwards as it is in Partridges, the Neck and Leggs longer than Partridges are; the Feet provided with Membranes after the manner of Water-Fowl; the Head covered with a Casque; the top of the Beak garnished with two Appendices; and the whole Plumage black, or dark-gray, Spekled with white Spotts.’
Unnumbered plate from a translated edition of Charles Perrault’s Memoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux: Memoir's for a natural history of animals containing the anatomical descriptions of several creatures dissected by the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, Englished by A.P. (London, 1688). A work of comparative anatomy featuring specimens from the Royal menageries at Vincennes and Versailles.
Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a French author, naturalist and member of the Académie Française. The translator (‘A. P’), Alexander Pitfeild (c.1658-1728), was a merchant and Fellow of the Royal Society, elected in 1684, Council Member throughout the late 17th century and Treasurer between 1700-1728.
Associated place