Lachesis Lapponica, or a Tour in Lapland, now first Published from the Original Manuscript Journal of the Celebrated Linnaeus, by James Edward Smith

8vo [20.5 x 13.5 cm]; 2 volumes, xvi, 366; [ii], 306 pp, illustrations are woodcuts by Richard T. Austin, index. later cloth backed marbled boards, gilt spine title lettering on spine, few discrete and light library stamps, a very good+ set, sound and clean. A picture of this book is available upon request by email. Cox i, 188: "An important and interesting work on Lapland and parts of Norway and Sweden. This famous botanist was himself the instigator of a large number of scientific voyages." Catalogue of the Works of Linnaeus in British Museum (1933) #188. Soulsby 192. Hulth 160. Junk p. 59: 'wichtung und selten'. Sansbergs Bokhandel, catalogue 12, p. 117: "Linnaeus started his work of investigation during his early manhood with his journeys to the Swedish provinces, where he noted the natural resources of the country-side. In the summer of 1741 he visited Oland and Gotland, in 1746 Vastergotland and Bohuslan and Skane in 1749. His accounts of these trips are his most often read works. They are of great topographical interest and abound in his observations of nature, animal and plant life as well as in ethnographical and economical matters. His geological remarks are of particular interest. The style is Linnaeus's usual: short, direct and to the point, often shot through with humour and touched with a lyrical love for nature." Smith bought Linnaeus's manuscripts and brought them back to England. The first Swedish edition was not until 1888.