Rabu, 04 Juni 2008

Surinam Insect Metamorphosis

Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p46)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p71)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p103)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p106)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p114)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p127)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p130)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p147)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p150)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p50)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p51)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p55)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p67)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p75)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p78)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p95)


Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium (p154)


Surinam - moth


Surinam - bee


Surinam - tadpole to frog


Moth - Surinam


The posting online this week of a 1719 edition of Dutch entomologist Maria Sybilla (Sibylla)* Merian's 'Metamorphosibus Insectorum Surinamensium' (1705) seemed like an appropriate reason to revisit this exquisite monograph. [see previous entry - Surinam Metamorphosis - for more links and the compelling background to this fifty five year old mother's art/research trip to the South American wilds]
"In Holland, I noted with much astonishment what beautiful animals came from the East and West Indies. I was blessed with having been able to look at both the expensive collection of Doctor Nicolaas Witsen, mayor of Amsterdam and director of the East Indies society, and that of Mr. Jonas Witsen, secretary of Amsterdam.

Moreover I also saw the collections of Mr. Fredericus Ruysch, doctor of medicine and professor of anatomy and botany, Mr. Livinus Vincent, and many other people. In these collections I had found innumerable other insects, but finally if here their origin and their reproduction is unknown, it begs the question as to how they transform, starting from caterpillars and chrysalises and so on. All this has, at the same time, led me to undertake a long dreamed of journey to Suriname." [Foreword]

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