Mark Catesby - Rubecula Americana, The Blue Bird; Smilax non spinola, bumilis Aristolochiæ, baccis rubris.

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)

Anas minor, The little brown Duck.

Anas minor, The little brown Duck. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Magnolia Lauri folio, Subtus albicante, The Sweet flowring Bay; Coccothraustes coeruleus, The blew Grosbeak.

Magnolia Lauri folio, Subtus albicante, The Sweet flowring Bay; Coccothraustes coeruleus, The blew Grosbeak. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Acacia &c., Frutor [Frutex] foliis oblongis &c.; Vipera caudisona minor, The Small Rattle-Snake.

Acacia &c., Frutor [Frutex] foliis oblongis &c.; Vipera caudisona minor, The Small Rattle-Snake. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Vespa ichneumon tripilis Pensylvaniensis; Rhus glabrum Panicula speciosa coccinea.

Vespa ichneumon tripilis Pensylvaniensis; Rhus glabrum Panicula speciosa coccinea. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Ardea Stellaris minima, The small Bittern; Fracinus &c.

Ardea Stellaris minima, The small Bittern; Fracinus &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Perca venenosa &c., The Rock-Fish.

Perca venenosa &c., The Rock-Fish. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Sciurus Volans, The Flying-Squirrel; Guajacana.

Sciurus Volans, The Flying-Squirrel; Guajacana. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Quequedula Americana variegata, The White-Face Teal.

Quequedula Americana variegata, The White-Face Teal. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Viscum radice bulbosa; Viscum Caryophylloïdes &c.; Papillio &c.

Viscum radice bulbosa; Viscum Caryophylloïdes &c.; Papillio &c. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Lacertus viridis Jamaicensis, The Green-Lizard of Jamaica; Lignum Campechianum, Logwood.

Lacertus viridis Jamaicensis, The Green-Lizard of Jamaica; Lignum Campechianum, Logwood. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Passerculus bicolor Bahamiensis, The Bahama Sparrow; Bignonia Arbor Pentaphylla, Plum Cat.

Passerculus bicolor Bahamiensis, The Bahama Sparrow; Bignonia Arbor Pentaphylla, Plum Cat. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Larus Major, The Cut Water.

Larus Major, The Cut Water. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Nux juglans Virginiana alba &c., The Hiccory Tree; The Pig-nut; Coccothraustes ruber, The red Bird.

Nux juglans Virginiana alba &c., The Hiccory Tree; The Pig-nut; Coccothraustes ruber, The red Bird. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Turdus ruffus, The fox-coloured Thruth; Ceraso similis arbuscula &c., The Cluster’s Black Cherry.

Turdus ruffus, The fox-coloured Thruth; Ceraso similis arbuscula &c., The Cluster’s Black Cherry. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
Quercus Esculi divisura, foliis amplioribus aculeatis, Red Oak; Palumbus Migratorius, The Pigeon of Passage.

Quercus Esculi divisura, foliis amplioribus aculeatis, Red Oak; Palumbus Migratorius, The Pigeon of Passage. (1754)

Mark Catesby (English, 1683 – 1749)
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