Fascinating book of the month requested for digitisation in the DIU goes to Thomas Greens “The Universal Herbal; or, botanical, medical, and agricultural dictionary. Containing an account of all the known plants in the world, arranged according to the Linnean system. With the best methods of propagation, and the most recent agricultural improvements.” The book is lyrically illustrated with basic but pragmatic hand colouring befitting it’s dictionary status. However it is a visually delicious looking two volume set with some unusual and intriguing entries as can be seen below. Broad-leaved Bastard Parsley is certainly a new one to me.
- Location Information:Main Library – Special Collections
- Shelfmark: K*.19.54-55
Malcolm Brown, Deputy Photographer
This astonishing work, of some 2 million words, describes over 55,000 plants and weighs in at just over 5 kg . Surviving examples are rarely in good condition. Those that are attract very strong interest from collectors.