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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 images, 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.
Title: A description of the nature of four-footed beasts
City: London
Date: 1678
Total items: 12
Out of copyright (called public domain in the USA), hence royalty-free for all purposes usage credit requested, or as marked.
![[picture: Antique engraving of a hippopotamus]](https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Jonstonus-FourFootedBeasts/wm/big/0229-b-hippopotamus-engraving-q75-362x200.jpg "[picture: Antique engraving of a hippopotamus]")
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...]
[$]![[picture: Rhinocerous (Rhinoceros, Hornnase Rhinocer) Old Engraving or Woodcut]](https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Jonstonus-FourFootedBeasts/wm/big/0207-rhinocerous-q75-369x200.jpg "[picture: Rhinocerous (Rhinoceros, Hornnase Rhinocer) Old Engraving or Woodcut]")
Rhinocerous (Hornnase Rhinocer) Engraving
The Rhinoceros borrows his name from the horn in his snout. Some call him an Ægyptian Ox, some an Æthiopian Bull, but they mistake; for there are none in Ægypt, except by chance. In Æthiopia indeed is a bull like him in the horn, which the unskilfull miscall a Rhinoceros. [...] [more...]
![[picture: Another antique brass engraving of a Hippopotamus]](https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Jonstonus-FourFootedBeasts/wm/big/0229-c-hippopotamus-engraving-q75-358x200.jpg "[picture: Another antique brass engraving of a Hippopotamus]")
![[picture: 135b.---Antique engraving of a horse]](https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Jonstonus-FourFootedBeasts/wm/big/0135-b-horse-engraving-q75-236x200.jpg "[picture: 135b.---Antique engraving of a horse]")
135b.—Antique engraving of a horse
This picture of a horse was engraved on brass and included in the 1678 edition of this book. It is taken from Tab. I. [more...]
[$]![[picture: Unicorn with Mane (Monoceros seu Unicornu Jubatus)]](https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Jonstonus-FourFootedBeasts/wm/big/0153-b-maned-unicorn-q90-312x200.jpg "[picture: Unicorn with Mane (Monoceros seu Unicornu Jubatus)]")
Unicorn with Mane (Monoceros seu Unicornu Jubatus)
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...]
[$]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 images, 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.
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