iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Sarah Finn @romanceofbooks.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Le petit Rolle Violet by Jacques Barraband for ‘Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis et des rolliers, suivie de celles des toucans et des barbus’ by François Levaillant. Paris: Chez Denné le jeune, 1806. University of Chicago Special Collections. #naturalhistory #rarebooks #birdart

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NHM Library and Archives @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Recent new additions to our library book collections 📚️ Visitors to our reading room can access our physical and online collections. ⬆️Use the link in our bio to learn more about our collections and how to make an appointment. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Whale #Moths #Snakes #Botany

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

🦋 A history of British moths London: John C. Nimmo, 1903. [Source]

Moth illustration from historical archives

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

🦞 Report on the Crustacea (Brachyura and Anomura) collected by the North Pacific exploring expedition, 1853-1856 City of Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1907. [Source]

Crustacea illustration from historical archives

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Forthcoming Ray Soc publication: D. Felder Marine Crabs and Lobsters from Gulf of Mexico and Adjacent Waters, Florida to Belize: A colour-illustrated catalogue and guide to reptant decapod crustaceans: details for Vols 1-3.

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cover for Marine crabs and lobsters from Gulf of Mexico.D.Felder Part 3: Keys + species accounts for Trichopeltarioidea,Cancroidea,Carpilioidea,Portunoidea,Goneplacoidea,Eriphioidea,Trapezioidea,Pseudozioidea,Pilumnoidea,Xanthoidea,Cryptochiroidea,Pinnotheroidea,Ocypodoidea,Grapsoidea, Gecarcinoidea

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cover approved for forthcoming public’n of Marine crabs and lobsters from Gulf of Mexico.. D.Felder Part 2: Keys + species accounts for Paguroidea,Raninoidea, Homolodromioidea,Dromioidea,Homoloidea,Cyclodorippoidea,Dorippoidea, Leucosioidea,Calappoidea,Aethroidea, Parthenopoidea,Majoidea,Palicoidea

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cover approved for forthcoming public’n of Marine crabs and lobsters from Gulf of Mexico.. D.Felder Part 1: Intro, image prep, morphology, keys to families, species & infraorders Stenopodidea, Polychelida,Achelata,Astacidea, Axiidea,Gebiidea and superfamilies Chirostyloidea,Galatheoidea,Hippoidea

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Mick Jones @mickdjones.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Excitement in the post today - the new book on The Glow-worm by my friend and long-time volunteer at @bbowt.bsky.social Dancersend Nature Reserve, John Tyler. It is a magnificent new version of the small book he self-published 30 years ago, now 168 pages with lots of new content and superb photos.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🌊 On the germination, development, and fructification of the higher Cryptogamia London: Published for the Ray Society, by Robert Hardwicke ..., 1862. [Source]

Ray illustration from historical archives

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🕸️ [Iconographie des crustacés et des arachnides de l'Égypte /. Paris: De l'Imprimerie royale, 1805-1812. [Source]

Arachnida illustration from historical archives

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🧠 Report on the zoological collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Alert' 1881-2. London: Printed by order of the Trustees, 1884. [Source]

Illustration from an 1884 zoological report showing detailed scientific drawings of three crab species collected during the Indo-Pacific voyage of H.M.S. Alert. The central focus includes full views and close-ups of claws and carapaces labeled A (Euxanthus tuberculosus), B (Hypocoelus punctatus), and C (Banareia inconspicua). The finely stippled engraving highlights surface textures, tubercles, and anatomical features with labeled parts such as claws and carapace sections. This historical plate reflects 19th-century taxonomic study methods, linking to Darwin’s legacy of natural history exploration and species documentation.

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NHM Library and Archives @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Recent new additions to our library botanical journal collections 📚️ Visitors to our reading room can access our physical and online collections. ⬆️Use the link in our bio to learn more about our collections and how to make an appointment. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Botany

Seven modern journals, all related to the natural sciences, laid out. Above are the words: Recent new additions to our botanical journal collections.

052

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 27/09/2026

The stalk-eyed Crustacea Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/138853…) #nature #illustration #art

The stalk-eyed Crustacea
Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13885333�

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NHM Library and Archives @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thomas Pennant's (1726-1798) body of work spanned natural history, antiquities and travel. To celebrate his tercentenary, we've added his correspondence and catalogues to our Digital Special Collections: buff.ly/ZFULOe0. #Manuscripts #18thCentury #HistoryOfScience #HistoryOfNaturalHistory

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

🧠 Report on the zoological collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Alert' 1881-2. London: Printed by order of the Trustees, 1884. [Source]

Illustration from an 1884 zoological report depicting detailed scientific drawings of three crab species collected during the H.M.S. 'Alert' voyage in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The image shows labeled parts including full dorsal views and close-ups of claws and carapaces. Species illustrated are Euacanthus tuberculosus, Hypocoelus punctatus, and Banareia inconspicua. The crabs are finely detailed with emphasis on texture and morphology, reflecting 19th-century naturalist documentation influenced by Darwinian zoology. The plate is titled "ALERT MELANES COLL. B.M." and includes annotations and scale references for taxonomic study.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

🌊 Monograph of the British aphides ... London, Printed for the Ray Society, 1876-83. [Source]

Illustration titled "Plate LXXXIV" from the 1876-83 British aphides monograph, depicting various life stages of the aphid species Cryptosiphum artemisiae. The detailed colored drawings show winged and wingless aphids in black and brown tones, clustered on green leaves with distinctive red galls. Additionally, there are faint pencil sketches of aphid anatomical features such as antennae and head structures. The artwork is scientific, focusing on accurate insect morphology and plant interaction for identification purposes. The page includes publication credits to G.B. Buckton and W. West & Co.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

🐧 Coloured figures of the birds of the British Islands / issued by Lord Lilford.. London: R. H. Porter, 1885-1897.. [Source]

Illustration of two sooty shearwaters, seabirds with dark brown plumage and slightly lighter underbellies, perched on a rocky surface. One bird is closer, showing detailed feathers and a curved black beak, while the other stands slightly behind, facing the opposite direction. The background is a muted, cloudy sky with hints of water and cliffs, rendered in soft tones. The print includes scientific names and publication details from the late 19th century, emphasizing an antique natural history style. The birds are not puffins but are related seabirds from the British Islands.

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Ian Beavis @ianbeavis.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Figures 2-2f here show colour forms of Pale Tussock caterpillar (see my last post) and its pupa & cocoon. From William Buckler's Larvae of British Butterflies & Moths vol.3 (Ray Society, 1889)

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Ele Willoughby @minouette.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Yeti crab is really a squat lobster so I’m sharing it this National Lobster Day! This is a handprinted lino block print of the Yeti crab (Kiwa hirsuta), a crustacean with silky blond setae (resembling fur, which reminded scientists of the Abomnible Snowman) found on the Pacific-Antarctic 🧪🐡🦞

A linocut print on a black vertical rectangle of kozo paper of a yeti crab from above with its two elongated and fury arms reaching upwards.

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Jo Wolfe, PhD @jopabinia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@minouette.bsky.social informed me it is National Lobster Day, so here is one! 🦞 (Maine lobsters are Astacidea; slipper + spiny lobsters are Achelata = no claws)

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The University of Chicago Press @uchicagopress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Congratulations to Alison Pouliot whose magical new book, FUNGA OBSCURA, has been highly commended by the 2026 Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books! Please join us in celebrating both Pouliot's work and the wonder of all things fungi 🍄

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Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Seashells by Paul Callomon & Gary Rosenberg is a marvelous single-volume reference to some five thousand species, presenting shells found from sandy beaches & coral reefs to polar shores & the ocean depths. Available 13 Oct. Preorder yours: buff.ly/vzA4JBG #Shells #Seashells #Nature #Mollusks

Seashells: A Compendium of Five Thousand of the World's Species by Paul Callomon and Gary Rosenberg. A sumptuously illustrated guide to marine mollusks from around the world.

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 19/09/2026

A monograph of the British marine annelids. London, The Ray society, 1873/1900-1922/23. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/378241…) #nature #illustration #art

A monograph of the British marine annelids.
London, The Ray society, 1873/1900-1922/23.
http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/37824145�

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 20/09/2026

The stalk-eyed Crustacea Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/138853…) #nature #illustration #art

The stalk-eyed Crustacea
Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13885341�

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

🦀 Journal of entomology and zoology Claremont, Calif., U.S.A.: Pomona College Dept. of Zoology, [1913- [Source]

Crab illustration from historical archives

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René Campbell @renecampbellart.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Added in the shiny reflections and he is pretty much done. I'd like to touch up certain areas after resting for a bit, but I may as well show him off early. This is "Regal", a male Australian blue swimmer crab that took nearly 250 hours to paint, spanning over 3 years #sciart #crustmas 🦀

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The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The Beasts in the Myths! We will be exploring the wild in Greek myths. Today, it is this cicada (Tacua speciosa) from Edward Donovan’s ‘An Epitome of the Natural History...' (1800-1804).

A natural history illustration of a cicada, with four-wings outstretched. The insect is depicted in front of small red flower.

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The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Exploring more natural history in the Myths, today it is this jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) from Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen (1887-1898). Favoured by the sorceress Circe, jimsonweed conjured the epic transformation of Odysseus’ band of men into pigs, using this infamous poison.

A natural history illustration of jimsonweed leaves, its white flower, and spiky seed capsules.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

🐉 British libellulinae, or, Dragon flies: . London: Printed by J.C. Bridgewater, 1845.. [Source]

Dragon illustration from historical archives

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

🦪 A history of British Mollusca and their shells London: John Van Voorst, 1853. [Source]

Mollusca illustration from historical archives

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OhtsuchiN @kelpcrabs1582.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our newest report have just been released from CANCER (domestic journal of the Carcinological Society of Japan). Decapod and stomatopod crustaceans collected from the vicinity of Yokonami Peninsula, Kochi, Japan. Cancer, 35: e15-e35. www.google.com/url?q=https%... 🦀

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🦪 A history of British Mollusca and their shells London: John Van Voorst, 1853. [Source]

Historical illustration plate titled "Plate P" from 1853, showing detailed scientific sketches of British mollusca shells. Seven different mollusk shells are depicted in fine line art, each labeled with a number from 1 to 6, including two labeled with a superscript "a" to indicate specific shell parts such as byssal appendages and disks. The shells vary in shape and texture, some elongated and others round, with detailed ridges and spiny edges. Below the illustrations are corresponding scientific names for each shell, such as Arca tetragona, Leda caudata, Leda pygmæa, and others, emphasizing the taxonomy and anatomical features typical of mid-19th century natural history documentation.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

🏝 A monograph of the free and semi-parasitic Copepoda of the British islands London, Ray Society, 1878-80. [Source]

Detailed scientific line drawing from an 1878-80 monograph showing multiple views of the copepod species Lichomolgus Thorellii furcillatus, native to British island waters. The black-and-white illustration features segmented body parts, jointed legs, and long, fine setae extending from limbs, highlighting anatomy crucial for parasitic and free-living life stages. Each body part is numbered for reference, capturing intricate limb structures with emphasis on sensory and locomotion appendages. The image serves as a taxonomic and morphological study of marine copepods associated with island ecosystems around the British Isles.

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The Palaeontographical Society @palaeontosoc.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Happy #MonographMonday! This plate depicts a fossil colony of Thecosmilia annularis. The detail is absolutely stunning! A Monograph of the British Fossil Corals. Second Part. Corals from the Oolitic Formations by Milne Edwards and Haime (Volume 5, Issue 12, 1851).

A black and white plate depicting several corallites of the coral Thecosmilia annularis, showing numerous closely packed, tubular coral corallites with finely ridged walls. Several corallites are viewed from above.

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 02/09/2026

The natural history of British fishes: London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897278) #nature #illustration #art

The natural history of British fishes:
London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897278�

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 03/09/2026

The natural history of British fishes: London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897344) #nature #illustration #art

The natural history of British fishes:
London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897344�

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

🦞 The Journal of the Linnean Society of London London: Academic Press [etc.], 1865-1968. [Source]

Illustration from the 1865 Journal of the Linnean Society of London depicting detailed pencil sketches of various crustacean claws and appendages labeled with numbers. The drawings show segmented limbs with setae (hair-like structures) and multiple views of crab claws featuring textured surfaces with nodules and serrated edges. The claws differ in size and shape, highlighting anatomical variations within the Sudan Brachyura species. The page includes scientific references and is titled "Sudan Brachyura," emphasizing the focus on crab morphology for zoological study.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🌊 Monograph of the British aphides ... London, Printed for the Ray Society, 1876-83. [Source]

Illustration titled "Monograph of the British aphides," Plate IX, showing four detailed, hand-colored drawings of two species of green aphids: Siphonophora menthae (two winged, two wingless) and Siphonophora chelidonii (two winged, two wingless). The winged aphids have translucent wings with subtle pink tinting and black veins, while the wingless ones display textured, segmented bodies with fine leg and antenna details. Each insect is numbered and positioned on a yellowed background typical of 19th-century scientific plates, emphasizing morphological differences important for entomological study. The illustration highlights anatomical accuracy characteristic of Victorian natural history.

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Shepherd @neolithicsheep.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

WAIT A MINUTE the king crab with its delicious legs is actually a HERMIT CRAB as in the small inquisitive guys with soft butts!!! why is nature like this bsky.app/profile/jopa...

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John Wares @johnwares.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Some good news for once - dear invert nerds, my student in Invert Ecology last Fall has now published her term paper - a field guide to the #Crabs of #Georgia! Her own watercolor work for each plate :) @jopabinia.bsky.social figshare.com/articles/pre...

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The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It is back to school everyone! And to mark that, we have here William Keble Martin's paintbox which was used for his well loved Concise British Flora in Colour (1965) published when Martin was 88. It has 1,400 species of plants and has been the inspiration for many budding botanists ever since.

Antique watercolor kit with brushes and squeezed paint tubes in an open velvet-lined case set before an open botanical reference showing detailed plant illustrations and labels.

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Lukas Large @lukaslarge.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

A new book on British Earthstars by Jonathan Revett is now available to preorder from @summerfieldbooks.com #MycoBookClub #fungi #FungiFriday #Mycology www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/brit...

14. Geastrum rufescens Pers.

Rosy Earthstar

<<< rufescens = red, reddening >>>

Icons: Pegler et al. (1995) p103; Jeppson (2013) p168; Læssøe et al. (2019) p1249.

A medium to large sized species with thick fleshed pinkish-red non-hygroscopic rays, a fimbriate peristome and stalked spore sac

Unexpanded fruitbody: Subglobose, 30mm 40mm.

Expanded fruitbody: 50mm - 90mm with 5-8 non-hygroscopic rays, flattened or arching with age.

Mycelial layer: Persistent, encrusting debris.

Fibrous layer: Pale grey brown

Fleshy layer: Warm reddish pink, flesh up to 8mm thick when fresh, quickly cracking and falling apart, darker with age but normally with residual reddish tones.

Spore sac: Subglobose 10mm 30mm diameter, greyish buff or light brown, smooth or minutely hairy (hand lens needed!) and with a fimbriate peristome which is often ill-defined and a short stem.

Mature Spore Mass: Dark brown.

Spores: Globose, 3.8µm 4.3µm, covered in elongated warts up to 0.5µm high.

Capillitial hyphae: 4.0µm 8.0µm, thick walled, tapering, encrusted.

Habitat: Rich litter in both deciduous and coniferous woodland, parks, arboretums.

Distribution: An uncommon species but well represented across Britain.

Discussion:

Unmistakable when fresh, thick fleshed with some degree (often very intense) of pinkish red tones and a weakly defined fimbriate peristome. The spore sac often degrades very quickly, especially around the peristome and can end up with several tears and holes. The short stem is best seen in mature specimens when all the flesh has eroded.

Unlikely to be confused with other earthstars when fresh but old specimens can resemble Geastrum michelianum or even Geastrum fimbriatum however the rays normally have dark reddish tones and sometimes dried patches of the thick flesh. The spores are also larger than G fimbriatum & G michelianum.

Often found in and around rotting tree stumps or on big thick piles of needle litter.

European Distribution & Species:

Common and widespread a…

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Ashmolean Museum, Oxford @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A little pinch of the crabs in our collection 🦀 🦀 Bronze box in the form of a Crab, 16th or 17th century, northern Italy. Bronze, 15.5 cm x 12.8 cm. WA1947.191.174 🦀 Study of a Velvet Crab, 1870, by John Ruskin (1819–1900). Bodycolour over graphite on blue wove paper. WA.RS.ED.199

An artwork by John Ruskin of a Velvet Crab against a light blue background.

A Japanese fuchi, black with a gold crab detail.

A Japanese colour woodblock prink of a woman in traditional dress sat on the ground surrounded by crabs.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

🦟 The British miscellany London: Printed by R. Taylor & Co., and sold by the author, J. Sowerby by White, Johnson, Symonds, and all other booksellers, 1806. [Source]

Illustration of a dragonfly resting on a curved green leaf. The dragonfly features translucent, veined wings with dark tips and a segmented body in shades of yellow and brown. Its head shows prominent, detailed eyes and short antennae. The style is a detailed, hand-colored scientific drawing typical of early 19th-century natural history prints. The background is plain and cream-colored, emphasizing the insect and leaf. The image includes a faint handwritten number "46" in the upper corner and publication details at the bottom, dated December 7, 1805, by J.Sowerby, London.

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old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 31/08/2026

The natural history of British fishes: London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08. (source: biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897376) #nature #illustration #art

The natural history of British fishes:
London: Printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington, 1802-08.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/5897376�

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

💦 A manual of the land and fresh-water shells of the British Islands London: Printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1831. [Source]

Historical illustration from an 1831 manual depicting detailed, colored drawings of various land and freshwater snail shells found in the British Islands. The image is divided into sections labeled "Valvata," "Paludina," "Neritina," and "Ancylus," each showing different shell shapes and patterns. Larger, prominently featured shells have spiral shapes with brown and beige banded markings, while smaller shells include varied shapes and surface textures. Each shell is numbered and some are shown in cross-section to reveal internal structure. The illustration is softly colored on a cream background, emphasizing the diversity of freshwater snail shells related to aquatic environments.

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