Ostrich
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 an ostrich, Struthio camelus, shown in right profile, against a natural landscape [below], and dissected, with the contents of its thorax, its cerebrum, optic nerve and sclerotic depicted [above].
Inscribed above: ‘pa. 214’
Written in the associated explanation: ‘IN the lower Figure it may be seen that the Feathers of the Wings and Tail could not be proper for Flying, the parts which do compose these Feathers not being hook'd together as they are in other Birds; that the Eye, which is not obliquely Scituated after the usual manner, has great Eye-lids, The opening of which is long-wise as in Man; that the Neck, Head, and Thighs are destitute and unprovided of Feathers, and that each Foot has but two Toes.’
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: ‘pa. 214’
Written in the associated explanation: ‘IN the lower Figure it may be seen that the Feathers of the Wings and Tail could not be proper for Flying, the parts which do compose these Feathers not being hook'd together as they are in other Birds; that the Eye, which is not obliquely Scituated after the usual manner, has great Eye-lids, The opening of which is long-wise as in Man; that the Neck, Head, and Thighs are destitute and unprovided of Feathers, and that each Foot has but two Toes.’
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