The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, with Observations on Various Parts of Nature, and The Naturalist's Calendar

London: Nathaniel Cooke, 1853. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". Not Stated . Bright new edition of Gilbert White's study of the natural history of Selborne. New edition of this popular work by Gilbert White, originally published in 1789 under the title The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, this edition edited by Sir William Jardine.An illustrated volume comprising the natural history of Selborne, English village in Hampshire. Gilbert White is considered to be the first ecologist or environmentalist; most of his observations are pertinent, while others are interestingly odd. He was however the first to discover that swifts mate on the wing. His methods differed from earlier ones as instead of studying dead specimens, White observed live animals in their habitats over many years, creating a new kind of zoology, scientific, precise, and based on accumulation of detail. An important book, this volume was mentioned by Charles Darwin when asked what works had deeply impressed him. With numerous engravings in text comprising subjects from natural history and views of Selborne, its vicinity and antiquities, sketched from nature for this edition. With frontispiece and additional illustrated title page. Two leaves of publisher's catalogue to rear.School prize inscription to front free endpaper. In the original publisher's full cloth binding with decorative embossing to boards, gilt tooling to spine and front board. Externally very smart with minor shelf wear, lightly bumped to head and tail of spine and extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good Indeed