Mark Catesby - Cerasus &c., Pigeon-Plum; Eruca maxima cornuta, The great horned Caterpillar.

Mark Catesby was an English naturalist who studied flora and fauna in the New World. Between 1729 and 1747 Catesby published his Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, the first published account of the flora and fauna of North America. It included 220 plates of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and plants.

More Illustrations in Book: The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands (View all 220)

Caprimulgus minor Americanus, The Whip-poor-Will; Aureliana Canadensis, The Ginseng, or Ninsin of the Chinese.

Caprimulgus minor Americanus, The Whip-poor-Will; Aureliana Canadensis, The Ginseng, or Ninsin of the Chinese. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Hæmatopus, The Oyster Catcher.

Hæmatopus, The Oyster Catcher. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Mergus

Mergus (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Tapia &c.; Cancer terrestris, The Land-Crab.

Tapia &c.; Cancer terrestris, The Land-Crab. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Fringilla purpurea, The Purple Finch; Tupelo Arbor &c., The Tupelo Tree.

Fringilla purpurea, The Purple Finch; Tupelo Arbor &c., The Tupelo Tree. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Lepus Javensis, The Java Hare; Ficus citrii folio &c.

Lepus Javensis, The Java Hare; Ficus citrii folio &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Mellivora &c. , The Humming-bird; Bignonia &c., The Trumpet-Flower.

Mellivora &c. , The Humming-bird; Bignonia &c., The Trumpet-Flower. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Frutex &c., The Sorrel-Tree; Pluvialis vociferus, The Chattering Plover.

Frutex &c., The Sorrel-Tree; Pluvialis vociferus, The Chattering Plover. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Passer niger, Occulis rubris, The Towhe Bird; Passer fusca, The cow-pen Bird.

Passer niger, Occulis rubris, The Towhe Bird; Passer fusca, The cow-pen Bird. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Manghala &c.; Frutex &c.; Cancellus terrestris Bahamensis, The Hermit-Crab

Manghala &c.; Frutex &c.; Cancellus terrestris Bahamensis, The Hermit-Crab (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
An Recinoides &c., The Ilathera Bark; Anguis &c.; The Copper-belly Snake.

An Recinoides &c., The Ilathera Bark; Anguis &c.; The Copper-belly Snake. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Quercus folio non serrato, in summitate quasi triangulo, Water Oak; Picus capite toto rubro, The red headed Woodpecker.

Quercus folio non serrato, in summitate quasi triangulo, Water Oak; Picus capite toto rubro, The red headed Woodpecker. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Vipera caudisona, The Rattle-Snake; The Section of a Rattle; A Rattle of Twenty-four joynts; A Tooth.

Vipera caudisona, The Rattle-Snake; The Section of a Rattle; A Rattle of Twenty-four joynts; A Tooth. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Passerculus, The little Sparrow; Convulvulus Caroliniensis, The Purple Bindweed of Carolina.

Passerculus, The little Sparrow; Convulvulus Caroliniensis, The Purple Bindweed of Carolina. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Mancanilla Pyri facie, The Mancaneel-Tree; Viscum foliis latioribus; Papilio medius &c.

Mancanilla Pyri facie, The Mancaneel-Tree; Viscum foliis latioribus; Papilio medius &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
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