HUGHES (Griffith). The Natural History of Barbados. In Ten Books.1750

London: Printed for the Author, First edition, 4to (378 x 245 mm), [4, title, dedication leaf], [10, list of subscribers], [2, contents leaf], vii [preface], [1, errata], 250, *251-*254, 251-314, [8, explanatory notes], [4, addenda], [8, index]pp., large engraved fold-out map of the island, 30 copper engraved plates (plate 4 hand-coloured, plate 27 with expert marginal repair), 5 illustrs., within the text, woodcut chapter headings, initials, and tailpieces, some minor occasional foxing, orig. marbled boards with vellum tips, recent calf reback with new spine label, uncut. First edition of this important work, compiled by the rector of St. Lucy's Parish, Barbados. Half of the ten sections and the bulk of the plates are devoted to the flora of Barbados, with additional sections on climate, minerals, animals, and marine life. A few pages discuss evidence of the early Indian inhabitants. Hughes, who spent most of his career in Barbados, was made a fellow of the Royal Society the year this work was published. He was patronised by English gentlemen in return for supplying them with seeds. Each plate bear the arms of one of Hughes' patrons. "This book is one to place beside Catesby's Natural History."—Hunt. "Handsomely printed, and the plates are finely executed from drawings by Ehret."—Sabin. Provenance: Armorial engraved bookplate: 'Alexander Thomson of Banchory Esquire' (1798-1868), Scottish advocate, agriculturalist, antiquary, author, philanthropist and traveller, with his ink signature at head of title. Hunt, 536; Nissen BBI, 950; Sitwell, Great Flower Books, p. 60; Wood, p. 393; Sabin, 33582; Cox II, p. 219; Pritzel, 4319.