Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.8499
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Termite colony nurseries
Date
ca. 1781
Creator
Henry Smeathman (1742 - 1786, British) , Naturalist
Object type
Archive reference number
Material
Dimensions
height (painting): 287mm
width (painting): 242mm
width (painting): 242mm
Subject
Biology
> Entomology
Biology
> Natural history
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> Colonialism
> Entomology
Biology
> Natural history
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> Colonialism
Content object
Description
Two studies of termite nurseries with one microscope view of mould grown within the termite colony.
Headed “Drawing 5” and extensively annotated in pencil with instructions on the production of the finished plate. Headed “Drawing 5” and inscribed below with figure details and captions. Signed lower right “Hen: Smeathman del:” Watermarked “GR”.
Plate 8 figures 5-7 from the paper “Some account of the termites, which are found in Africa and other hot climates”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society vol.71 part 1 1781 pp.139-192.
Henry Smeathman (1742–1786) English naturalist, known for his work in entomology and colonial settlement in Sierra Leone.
In 1771 Quaker Physician John Fothergill, along with two other members of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks and Marmaduke Tunstall, sponsored Smeathman to spend four years in and around the Sierra Leone peninsula studying its natural history, specifically its insects. His research relied heavily on individuals involved in slave-trading networks for support and assistance.
Headed “Drawing 5” and extensively annotated in pencil with instructions on the production of the finished plate. Headed “Drawing 5” and inscribed below with figure details and captions. Signed lower right “Hen: Smeathman del:” Watermarked “GR”.
Plate 8 figures 5-7 from the paper “Some account of the termites, which are found in Africa and other hot climates”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society vol.71 part 1 1781 pp.139-192.
Henry Smeathman (1742–1786) English naturalist, known for his work in entomology and colonial settlement in Sierra Leone.
In 1771 Quaker Physician John Fothergill, along with two other members of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks and Marmaduke Tunstall, sponsored Smeathman to spend four years in and around the Sierra Leone peninsula studying its natural history, specifically its insects. His research relied heavily on individuals involved in slave-trading networks for support and assistance.
Associated place