Good work Peter!
I was searching 17th century, as the bees were drawn
in a style typical of that time period.
Heres the origin for the woodcut for Dennis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Theater_of_Insects.jpg
I want to point out a critical error on this link Peter provided:
(Links fault, not Peters here)
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/bees-and-beehive-17th-century-artwork-middle-temple-library.html
The link has an error which has been repeated too many times:
<<"This is a woodcut from a book by the English naturalist and
physician Thomas Muffet (1553-1604)">>
'Theatrum Insectorum' was NOT authored by Thomas Mouffet,
he merely inherited the work, and published it.
Some interesting facts 'and theory' about Mouffet from my
'Little Miss Muffet' article in my archives:
*Mouffet's scientific catalogue of British insects, `Theatrum Insectorum'
(1634) was the first zoological work ever printed in Britain. It was noted
for being a valuable scientific treaty on insects as well as containing
the first illustration of an insect collected in North America on Sir Walter
Raleigh's second voyage.
*Although Mouffet was popularly believed to have authored the
`Theatrum Insectorum', the content cannot be attributed to him, he
merely inherited the work, and furthered its progress toward publication,
which would not occur until thirty years after his death. The book
contained significant contributions by other scientists, notably the
Swiss Scientist Conrad Gesner (1516 65). Because of this confusion,
quotes from the book are often credited as the writings of the 17th
century Mouffet. When in fact, they are from various scientists from
the 16th century.
*The prime reason it was published posthumously was that the
English market for books on natural science was weak at the time.
It appears that it was ready for the press in 1589 or 1590. The
original title page (unused) is dated 1589. His negotiations with
printers in The Hague failed in 1590. The original illustrations were
given up as too expensive and replaced with the wood cuts that
appear in the 1634 edition. This work contains ample account of
the domestic bee, with gleanings from many sources of some of
its habits, economy and history. Dr. Mouffet also has also published
recipes using bees, wax, propolis and honey in medicine.
*Mouffet is best known for his study of insects in regards to
medicine (particularly spiders),It was a common belief at that
time, that spiders possessed medicinal qualities, and that
consuming them could cure a variety of ailments. As a physician
and entomologist, it is said that Dr. Mouffet had great interest in
spiders, and perhaps even raised them in his home for his studies
as well as for medicinal purposes.
Some historians attribute a popular nursery rhyme to Mauffet.
Miss Patience Mouffet was one of the stepchildren of Dr. Mouffet.
So they say, she was in Dr. Mauffets study sitting on a tuffet
(`a low stool`)...well... you know the rest.
Thanks to Dennis for bringing this fascinating woodcut to
Bee-L for research.
Best Regards,
J. Waggle
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