Natural History

According to his obituary in the 'Kew Bulletin' (2010), Green worked '[a]lmost singlehandedly' on the account of the two islands for the 'Flora of Australia'. This collection of around 100 items contains material relating to that work, largely assembled on the spot during a Royal Society and Percy Sladen Expedition, and including correspondence with a number of experts in the field. (For list of correspondents see below.) The collection is in good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in matching worn red box files.

With two supplements (1912 & 1924), Ist suplement sl. sunned, in the main condition very good. 3 items

80pp., 12mo, inc. original printed covers within paper binding with handwritten title , original covers grubby, minor staining and rucking, rusting at staples, some annotation (crosses), mainly good condition. Everything for the taxidermist. Only copy of a Watkins & Doncaster Catalogue listed on COPAC dated 1917.

4pp., 4to. On four loose leaves. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with the slightest ruckling to the first leaf. Neatly and closely written out. A scholar's working copy, with deletions, emendations, and notes in the margin. As an example, the first page carries 39 entries in ink, with an additional entry in pencil. The third entry reads: 'Acanthus G. IV. 123 [with '3E 45.' added in pencil] Acanthus mollis, Smooth Brank-Ursine'.

1p., 4to. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. A letter of recommendation for 'Mr Svederus, Chapellain du Roy de Suede, qui va a Paris pour quelques mois, et qui est recommandé au Ministre Suedois'. Woide explains that he became acquainted with Svederus during his stay in London, which lasted almost a whole year. He concludes by sending his regards to six individuals, beginning with 'Mr de Guines'.

1p., 12mo. On light-blue paper. In good condition, on lightly aged and creased paper. He thanks Sawyer for his letter and enclosure, found on his return and read 'with the greatest interest'. 'It was extremely kind of you to come and look at my botanical drawings and I am most grateful for the information you have been able to give me. It was marvellous to be able to have the opinion of a real expert.'

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. With two pages of lists of plants by Shepherd. Good, on aged paper. In remains of original envelope. The letterhead advertises that the firm also has a branch at Ashford. Begins: 'We can supply you with the shrubs &c you kindly enquire about at the Prices named on other side - your orders for which will have our careful attention'. Three are marked with a cross, being 'very critical trees to move' for which the firm 'can undertake no responsibility as to their success'. Prices given for fifteen types, from 'Spruce Trees - 4 ft.

Four pages, 12mo, Hanbury asks some questions about a 'catalogue' [presumably of plants found in Kent] Shepherd has sent him. "With these few exceptions your capital list is perfectly plain & straightforward". He has questions about Trollius europoeus, Wrotham Waters, Hypericum Montanum ('a mistake here'), Geranium sylvaticum ('Are you quite clear about this? Watson's Topog. Bot. does not give it as Kentish at all'). He corrects him on a geranium he has shown him ('rare or rarer'), believes a mistake has been made placing Lathymus palustris in Ryash Woods ('northern plant').

All 4to, with the letters totalling 22 pp, and the list of 'Funghi, East Kent' of 15 pp. All items clear and complete. Three leaves with light staining (one with short closed tear), otherwise all in good condition, on aged paper. All three in envelopes (lacking stamps), addressed by Clifton and with his seal in red wax. ONE. 4 October 1889. 4to, 12 pp. Begins: 'It seems a long time since we had a ramble on the Cuxton and Ralling hills from Cobham, and when I killed a viper; and I have been much amused at the apparent incredulity of a brother B.O.U. at the Dumpton Park rarities!

This item can be roughly dated from the fact that the firm of 'Letts Son & Co. Limited' only traded in this style between 1870 and 1885, the public company going into liquidation in the latter year. There is an indication (see below) that Wilson hailed from Kent, and the present volume provides a valuable first-hand record into the state of the moth population in England at the end of the Victorian period. 12mo, 158 pp. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, in worn brown leather quarter binding, marbled endpapers. Letts label on front cover reads 'J.

The extract from Willughby's 1678 comprise three folio leaves paginated 179-184, containing the text of 'CHAP. XIV. | Of Doves or Pigeons in general.'; with plates xxxiii, xxxiv, xxxv and xxxvi, with representations of twenty doves or pigeons. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Loosely inserted in a twentieth-century folder, half bound in brown marbled boards with green cloth corners and spine. Label on front ('Francis Willoughby | Ornithology 1678 | Pigeon Excerpt with Plates'.

Two pages, 4to, several closed tears, two small hole, one stain, 1in. dia., on p.2. , text clear and complete. "I am much obliged to you for sending me a copy of your 'Proteus' No.6 - the Goethe Commemoration Number. It was a happy idea to concentrate on this centenary. My interest naturally centres on the 'Metamorphosis of Plants'. Had Goethe lived as a post Darwinian his keen insight would have led him to a rather different statement of his great synthesis. He would have accepted I am pretty sure a theory of segregation rather than a theory of metamorphosis.

ELIZABETH ROBINS TRAVEL WRITER ALASKA YUKON EXPLORER SMITHSONIAN ARCTIC

Three pages, 12mo, minor defects, text clear and complete. I fear I quite forgot to send you the names of the books on 'fungi', and now I have not got them with me. But as the messenger is going up to Christiania I am sending you some rather crude pictures, which may be of some use pending the arrival of better books which I shall recommend shortly. | But for heaven's sake be careful! Some are so poisonous that no doctor can be of any use.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Attractive engraving of a blackberry cutting. The second page is headed 'THE AMERICAN BLACKBERRY', and begins 'There is scarcely a more wholesome fruit than this, and one that has been more improved by judicious cultivation on the American side of the water.' The text, which continues to the last page and is signed in type by Lowber, contains two quotations from 'Rev. E. P. Roe, one of the most celebrated small fruit culturists on the banks of the Hudson'. In manuscript at foot of third page: '15/- per doz.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Begins: 'THE object of this leaflet is to draw the attention of Asparagus Growers to some facts regarding the Asparagus plant's 'way of Life' which the close study and observation necessary to successful pedigree breeding of a definite strain have taught me.' Kidner is described as 'Author of "ASPARAGUS" (Faber & Faber)', with the announcement that 'KIDNER'S PEDIGREE STRAIN has been given an Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1953.' No copy on COPAC or in the British Museum.

4to, 1 p. Twenty-one lines of text. Clear and complete. On aged, stained and worn paper, with a couple of small spike holes. Revealing, in the attention to detail which it exhibits. He begins by reporting that 'the Rosabella arrived safe & the books appear to be correct with the following exceptions'. Two paragraphs follow, carefully describing duplicate plates and other faults in the books received (including "Genus Plantarum"). The replacements may be sent 'through Wilmer & Smith, booksellers, Liverpool - or by Harden's express - or through Messrs. John D.

(Dentist and natural historian).Vol.xvi, pp.105-107, plate, sm. fol., sewn in blue wraps. INSCRIBED by the author: "J.G. Children Esqre [see DNB] with the Author's king regards". Perhaps never bound in to its volume. (Bell has also written the name of Children on the fr. cover.)

The bill is printed on one side of a piece of grey paper, 25 x 13.5 cm. Good, on lightly-creased paper, with spikehole to one corner. On the bill Castang is described as 'Dealer in Ornamental Waterfowl, Pheasants, Cranes, Rheas, Kangaroos, Deer, etc. Original and many years sole importer of Hungarian Partridges. | Particular attention to packing export orders. Waterfowl in full adult plumage pinioned, taken direct from the water.' Seventeen types of bird are listed, from Teal to Black East Indian.

The three letters are addressed to the translator of Forel's book, the surgeon and free-thinker Percival Macleod Yearsley (1867-1951). Forel's letter: 4to, 1 p. Twenty lines. In French. Text clear and complete. On browned and chipped high-acidity paper. Laid down on the front pastedown. In the first paragraph he thanks the translator, Macleod Yearsley, for the book, which he praises in fulsome terms. He is sending a copy of his 'Question Sexuelle'.

8vo: 56 pp. In original blue printed wraps. Unopened. Good, on lightly-aged paper, in creased and slightly-chipped wraps. The title of Smith's catalogue of Wallace's collection ('Read Jan. 15, 1863') ends '[...] By Frederick Smith, Assistant in the Zoological Department, British Museum. Communicated by W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.R.S. & L.S.' It runs from p.6 to p.48. Detailed catalogue preceded by brief note by Smith. Smith's 'Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects' had appeared in 7 parts between 1853 and 1859.

On slip of paper, roughly 2.5 x 10 cm, cut from a letter for an autograph hunter. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Reads 'Yours sincerely | J Arthur Thomson'.

8vo, 90 pp. Stitched and unbound. 3328 priced items. Text clear and complete. On aged paper.

8vo, 8 pp. Unbound. An unopened leaf, folded twice to make four leaves. Text clear and complete. On aged and worn paper.

Each catalogue 8vo, 32 pp. Stapled and unbound. The text of all three items clear and complete. On aged and spotted paper. Each issue carries an editorial introduction, with that of October 1884 (no. 85) eight pages long, and boasting that it is 'the most complete catalogue of American Official Geological Reports ever published. The previous lists of Prime and Marsh have been consulted, but very many have been added during the period covered by Prime'.

12mo, 32 pp. Stapled. Text clear and complete. On aged and worn paper, with rusted staples causing the outer bifolium to detach. Items 2067 to 2786, with 'Supplément. Deutsche Werhe.' (Items from the firm's Leipzig branch.)

4to, 1 p. Sixteen lines of text. Clear and complete. Neatly written in copperplate. On lightly-aged and creased paper, with one 4 cm vertical closed tear (through one word) along fold. He will be 'in town [i.e. London] for a few days next week and will be accompanied by Mr. Keddie, Editor of the "Scottish Guardian", an ardent lover of Botany & Botanists'. Asks if Ward can 'chalk out an excursion' for them, '& perhaps accompany us, to some place like Cobham [regularly visited by Ward], where we would see English Scenery, and gather good English plants'.

8vo: 16 pp. Stapled pamphlet. Nothing other than the title printed on the first leaf. Text paginated [19] to 31, with publisher's slug on reverse of last leaf. On aged and creased paper, with 6 cm closed tear at central crease of outer bifolium. No copies of this title on COPAC or WorldCat.

Soft-covered, c.12 x 17", sl. soiling, fold marks in one corner, o/w very good. INSCRIBED: "With best wishes for Xmas & the New Year from Biddy Lamb".

One page. On wove paper roughly eleven inches by nine wide. Dimensions of image roughly five and a half inches by six and a quarter wide. Good clear image on aged paper with slight wear to extremities. Attractive representation, above initialed key describing twenty-seven of the Gardens' features ('G. - Medico Botanic Garden, with extensive range of Conservatories, Stoves and Hot-houses', 'J. - Rosarium - a level lawn, with arched trellis work, and borders for every kind of rose', 'M. - American Garden', 'N.