A description of the nature of four-footed beasts

Some images taken from A description of the Nature of Four-Footed Beasts, With their Figures Engraven in Brass, written in Latin by Dr. John Johnston. Translated into English by J. P.

The author is referred to in catalogues as Jonstonus, Joannes (1603-1675). The book was published in London.

The book is online at University of Wisconsin Digital Collections under History of Science and Technology; I requested (and obtained) permission to use the impages, which the University has confirmed are in the public domain; I also place (in case there is any question) my own versions of the images in the public domain, so you can use them in any way you like.

You will find here (eventually) not only copies of the page images from Wisconsin University, but also cleaned-up versions of the scans, with individual animals in separate files.

Tab. I.: Horses

Image of page marked “Tab. I”, the first with an illustration: Equus Pferd
Roß Hengst Gaul: two antique engravings of horses. [more...]

289x500 29K, 346x600 42K, 606x1050 152K, 909x1574 295K, 1515x2624 461K

135a.—Antique engraving of a horse

This picture of a horse was engraved on brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. It is taken from Tab. I. [more...]

500x435 39K, 702x610 76K, 936x814 143K, 1248x1085 230K, 1872x1627 504K

135b.—Antique engraving of a horse

This picture of a horse was engraved on brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. It is taken from Tab. I. [more...]

500x424 41K, 733x622 115K, 917x777 174K, 1222x1036 265K, 1833x1554 493K

Tab. XI: Rinocerous and Unicorns

Image of page marked “Tab. XI”, from the illustrations: [more...]

289x500 35K, 346x600 52K, 606x1050 173K, 909x1574 334K, 1515x2624 522K

Monoceros (Unicorn) Engraving

An engraving of a Monocerous, or Unicorn, on brass, from the 1678 edition of the book. It is taken from Tab. XI. [more...]

500x268 33K, 742x398 68K, 989x531 114K, 1978x1062 348K

Unicorn with Mane

This picture of a unicorn with a mane was engraved on brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. It is taken from Tab. XI. [more...]

500x328 42K, 594x389 72K, 792x519 121K, 990x649 183K, 1320x865 288K, 1981x1298 519K

Rhinocerous (Rhinoceros, Hornnase Rhinocer) Old Engraving or Woodcut

Rhinocerous (Hornnase Rhinocer) Engraving

The Rhinoceros borrows his name from the horn in his snout. Some call him an Ægyptian Ox, some an Æthiopian Bull, but they mistake; for there are none in Ægypt, except by chance. In Æthiopia indeed is a bull like him in the horn, which the unskilfull miscall a Rhinoceros. [...] [more...]

500x271 37K, 687x373 70K, 917x497 131K, 1223x663 222K, 1631x884 362K, 2175x1179 622K

Antique engraving of a hippopotamus

This rather unlikely picture of a hippopotamus was engraved on brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. The description in the book, which I have transcribed here, mentions that the hippopotamus’ teeth are so sharp that they send forth sparks; that the hippopotamus walked backwards so as to annoy hunters; and that they were not certain [...] [more...]

500x276 37K, 688x380 74K, 871x481 113K, 1161x641 186K, 1548x855 313K, 2064x1140 590K

Another antique brass engraving of a Hippopotamus

See hippopotamus picture for more details.

500x279 40K, 679x379 78K, 859x480 123K, 1146x640 216K, 1528x854 340K, 2037x1138 576K

Manticore

This picture of a Manticore was engraved in brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. It is taken from Tab. LII. [more...]

500x293 35K, 320x188 14K, 427x250 25K, 560x328 44K, 760x445 82K, 1014x594 140K, 1352x792 235K, 2028x1189 443K

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