Throughout this introduction to bontany, a hand has pressed flowers and ferns between the pages, marrying science and nature to present found object art. A child's paper game depicting flowers (likely 20th c.) is also present betwteen the pages. The flowers have left a bit of off-setting on the pages but are, themselves, remarkably preserved.
The Scottish-born James Lee (1715-1795), gardener to the 7th Duke of Sommerset and 3rd Duke of Argyll, later was a co-founder of Vineyard Nursery in Hammersmith, London. Through his apprenticeship at Chelsea Physic Garden, he began corresponding with Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus and produced this Introduction to Botany the first English primer to Linneaus' works, first published in 1760. This ground breaking work presented the English speaking world with Linneaus's system of classifications and terminology, promoting the field of botany in England.
An introduction to botany. Containing an explanation of the theory of that science, and an interpretation of its technical terms; extracted from the works of Dr. Linnæus... By James Lee, ..., London : printed for J. and R. Tonson, 1765. SECOND EDITION.
Listed in the English Short Title Catalogue (T81053)
xv,[1],iv,479[i.e.363],[25]p.,12 plates ; General note Pp.333-448 omitted. The plates are accompanied by descriptive letterpress. Spine reinforced with modern leather, cover leather mildly scuffed.