Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9997
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'The small Mud-Tortoise’
Date
1757
Creator
George Edwards (1694 - 1773, British) , Ornithologist
Object type
Library reference
38029
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 288mm
width (print): 220mm
width (print): 220mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Zoological studies of a turtle or terrapin from Pennsylvania, North America. The upper and lower views of the animal appear above a general study of the creature apparently walking on land.
Plate 287 from chapter 77 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 2 (London, for the author, 1760). The author describes the creature within the text: “Here are three views of this Tortoise of their natural size, all drawn and etched on the copper-plate immediately from life...I take this Tortoise to be of the amphibious kind...It was sent from Pensilvania by Mr. Bartram to my worthy friend Peter Collinson, Esq.., F.R.S. who on all occasions is ready and willing to oblige me with the use of every new subject he receives from foreign countries.”
The plate is inscribed: “The Small mud Tortoise, smelling strong of Musk, haveing a sharp horn pointed tayl from Pensilvania. Drawn from Nature of the bignes of Life, by George Edwards.” A second, mirrored inscription provides the date of “September 16 1757”.
Plate 287 from chapter 77 of Gleanings of natural history, exhibiting figures of quadrupeds, birds, insects, plants, &c..., by George Edwards, volume 2 (London, for the author, 1760). The author describes the creature within the text: “Here are three views of this Tortoise of their natural size, all drawn and etched on the copper-plate immediately from life...I take this Tortoise to be of the amphibious kind...It was sent from Pensilvania by Mr. Bartram to my worthy friend Peter Collinson, Esq.., F.R.S. who on all occasions is ready and willing to oblige me with the use of every new subject he receives from foreign countries.”
The plate is inscribed: “The Small mud Tortoise, smelling strong of Musk, haveing a sharp horn pointed tayl from Pensilvania. Drawn from Nature of the bignes of Life, by George Edwards.” A second, mirrored inscription provides the date of “September 16 1757”.
Associated place