Insects, Butterflies, butterfly, Vanessa & Cynthia Species, Caterpillar, Chrysalis, British, Antique Print, H.N. Humphreys, metamorphosis

Plate 15. Vanessa Atlanta (Red Admiral Butterfly), Cynthia Huntera & Cynthia Cardui with respective male, female, underside, Caterpillar & Chrysalis

Botany illustrated: As part of the integrity of illustration, Humphreys includes the botanical varietal preferred by the featured butterfly species: Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) & Cnicus Ianceolatus (Spear-plum Thistle)

Published originally by subscription 1841-49, with species character descriptions by J. O. Westwood, Secretary of the Entomological Society, a revised & corrected New Edition was published by William & Robert Chambers, London & Edinburgh in 1860.

Condition= Excellent. Supplied with copy of original butterfly descriptions.

Page size = 21.5 x 28.5 cm / 8.6 x 11.4 inch

British Museum & Henry Noel Humphreys

As a naturalist and entomologist Humphreys' was most particular that his illustrations layout the comprehensive life cycle transformation from caterpillars to butterflies by virtue of the chrysalis.  His method of visually explaining the idea of "metamorphosis" so impressed the British Museum curators that they adopted his meticulous display concept. "The study of natural history is the learning of the characters with which the wonderful story of nature is written; and cannot conceive a more pleasing and natural introduction to its general study than entomology, of which I think the division of Lepidoptera...the most easy and attractive section. " H.N. Humphreys, Esq, 1860