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Biodiversity Pics

@biodiversitypix.bsky.social

The Biodiversity Heritage Library contains thousands of historical illustrations of flora and fauna. This unaffiliated bot shares random images from the collection.

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Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 1h ago

🐸 Reptiles and batrachians London, J. M. Dent & sons, ltd.: [1914] [Source]

Black and white historical photographs presenting three amphibians: (a) Amphiuma meaus, a slender, elongated amphibian with small limbs, resting on ground near rocks; (b) Proteus anguinus, a pale, eel-like amphibian with tiny limbs and a long, curved body displayed on a dark background; (c) Necturus maculatus, also known as the mudpuppy, with distinct external gills, lying on a bed of pebbles. Each amphibian is labeled with its common and scientific name below the images, showcasing diverse forms within amphibian species.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 3h ago

🐛 The butterfly book / The moth book Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, Page & Co., 1914. [Source]

Illustration from a 1914 book showing 38 detailed caterpillars of various butterfly and moth species. The caterpillars vary in shape, size, and coloration, including striped, spotted, and spiny types. Some are depicted on plant stems or leaves, highlighting their natural habitats. The image features both simple, smooth-bodied caterpillars and more textured ones with distinctive markings, horns, or spines. The numbered arrangement aids identification, illustrating a diverse range of caterpillar forms found in gardens or wild settings, emphasizing their role as butterfly and moth larvae. The background is cream-colored with handwritten labels and botanical elements.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 5h ago

🐍 Natural history of the animal kingdom for the use of young people Brighton: E. & J.B. Young and Co., 1889. www. [Source]

Historical illustration from 1889 depicting four types of snakes in a natural setting with trees, plants, and rocks. The main focus is the "Cobra-di-Capello" (Naja tripudians) on the left, shown with its hood expanded, coiled among green foliage. To the right are a viper (Pelias berus) coiled on a tree trunk, a common snake (Tropidonotus natrix) near the ground holding a frog in its mouth, and a serpent of Aesculapius (Coluber Aesculapii) climbing a slender tree. The detailed drawing highlights the distinct patterns, body positions, and natural habitats of each snake species under the headings "Ophidia" and "Serpents."

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 7h ago

🐰 Wild animals of North America Washington, D.C., The National geographical society[c1918] [Source]

Illustration of two types of North American rabbits. The upper section shows two California Jack Rabbits with large ears and brown fur, standing alert in a sparse grassy desert landscape. The lower section features a Varying Hare, or Snowshoe Rabbit, with one brown and one white rabbit depicted; the brown rabbit is in the foreground on a forest floor with fallen branches, while the white rabbit is shown behind it among snow-covered ground, indicating seasonal fur color change. Both illustrations are detailed and labeled with species names: Lepus californicus and Lepus americanus.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 9h ago

🐉 The book of the great sea-dragons, Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri, [gedolim taninim] gedolim taninim, of Moses. London, W. Pickering, 1840. [Source]

Black and white historical illustration from 1840 depicting six detailed fossilized bones and a long, narrow jaw fragment of ancient sea-dragons (Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri). The bones vary in size and shape, showing textured surfaces and cracks, suggesting age and fossilization. The illustration highlights the dragon-related theme by focusing on large, robust skeletal elements with some appearing curved or conical. The artwork is labeled as plate 26 and is rendered in fine lines to emphasize the intricate bone structures and natural wear.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 11h ago

🐾 A hand-book to the British mammalia London, Edward Lloyd, 1896. [Source]

Illustration from an 1896 British book depicting four black rats in a rustic setting. Two adult black rats with dark fur and long tails are actively engaged near a metal food container, one nibbling on cheese. Two smaller rats, likely juveniles, are climbing nearby stalks of wheat or straw. The detailed drawing highlights the rats' fur texture, elongated whiskers, and sharp claws. Shaded with soft yellow and blue tones, the background suggests a farmhouse or grain storage area. The image is labeled "BLACK RAT" and titled "PLATE XXII," emphasizing its educational purpose within the context of British mammalia.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 13h ago

🌼 La flore et la pomone francaises Paris: Chez l'auteur, rue Furstemberg, 1828-1833. [Source]

Illustration from "La flore et la pomone francaises" (1828-1833) depicting three delicate herbaceous plants labeled "Herniaire." Each plant variant—Glabre, Pâle, and Blanchet—is shown with slender stems and small, closely spaced leaves. Two small detailed drawings of flower structures accompany the plants to highlight botanical features. The illustration uses soft green and brown tones on aged paper, emphasizing the fine, naturalistic details of the flora typical of early 19th-century botanical art.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 15h ago

🌿 The language of flowers: London: Ward, Lock, & Tyler, [1878] [Source]

Black and white historical illustration titled "Fascination. (Fern.)" showing a young woman in a dress and bonnet holding a basket, with a man behind her wearing a wide-brimmed hat and holding a walking stick. The man appears to be gently placing his hand on the woman's shoulder. In the background, three additional figures, dressed similarly in period clothing, walk along a rural path. The scene is framed within an arch, emphasizing a tranquil countryside setting. The image is from an 1878 book about the language of flowers.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 17h ago

🐌 Historia fisica, politica y natural de la isla de Cuba.. Paris: A. Bertrand, 1838-1861.. [Source]

Illustration of ten colored Gastropoda shells arranged in two rows on a light background. The shells vary in size and show intricate patterns of stripes and bands in green, yellow, black, white, and brown hues. The top row features seven shells labeled 1 to 7, primarily green and yellow with pink and black accents. The bottom row has three shells labeled 8 to 10, mostly white and brown with striped and wavy markings. The image is titled "Mollusca" and includes scientific names "Acholina fasciata" and "Bulimus zebra" below, indicating the species depicted.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 19h ago

🌊 Histoire naturelle de Lacépède: . Paris: Furne, Jouvet et cie ; Jouvet et cie, succ., 1876-1881.. [Source]

Historical illustration showing three fish species arranged on a riverbank with rocks and plants. The largest fish, a pike labeled "Le Brochet," has a long body with a pointed snout and distinctive mottled markings. Next to it is a perch labeled "La Perche," featuring a rounder body, visible scales, and a slightly open mouth. In the foreground is an eel labeled "L'Anguille," with a long, slender, dark greenish body and smooth skin. In the background, two people are fishing from a small rowboat on a calm water body, adding a naturalistic context to the scene.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 23h ago

🗺 Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington Washington, etc.: Entomological Society of Washington [Source]

Historical black-and-white map from the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, showing the Great Falls and Little Falls area along the Potomac River. The map includes precise contour lines and elevation markings (e.g., 200, 300 feet), names of nearby towns and landmarks such as Cabin John Run, Rock Run, and the C & O Canal. It highlights boundaries between Maryland and Virginia with roads, railways, and water features clearly labeled. The page is marked as Plate XIII, Vol. XIX, providing geographical detail of the river’s falls and surrounding terrain. The map is oriented with north towards the top right.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

🍎 La flore et la pomone francaises Paris: Chez l'auteur, rue Furstemberg, 1828-1833. [Source]

Illustration of the Valeriane des Pyrénées plant featuring a single green stem with large, serrated, dark green leaves arranged in pairs. At the top, a dense cluster of small, pale pink flowers sit atop the stem. Below the main plant, detailed botanical sketches show close-ups of the flower’s reproductive parts. The image is from the early 19th century, focusing on botanical accuracy for French flora and fruit-related studies.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

👹 Extinct monsters and creatures of other days London: Chapman & Hall, 1910. [Source]

Black-and-white historical illustration showing a large plaster-cast skeleton of a Diplodocus carnegiei, an extinct dinosaur over 80 feet long, displayed in the Gallery of Reptiles at the Natural History Museum in London. The skeletal model features a long neck and tail, massive ribcage, and sturdy legs, set within a spacious room with arched windows and stone walls. The dinosaur’s bones are mounted on a raised platform with support rods. Display cases and museum exhibits are visible in the background, emphasizing the scientific and educational setting of the image from 1910.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

🪶 Genera avium Brussels: V. Verteneuil & L. Desmet, 1905-1914. [Source]

Historical illustration titled "Genera avium," depicting detailed colorful heads of nine parrot species from the Loridae family alongside the full body of a red and green parrot perched on a branch. Each bird head shows distinct feather patterns and colors, ranging from bright blues, greens, reds, and oranges, with prominent curved beaks. The upper tail feathers of Oreopsittacus grandis are also illustrated, highlighting feather shape and color gradation. Scientific names are listed below the images, emphasizing feather texture and vivid plumage typical of parrots. The image focuses on feather coloration and structure for species identification.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

🌷 Curtis's botanical magazine.. London ;New York [etc.]: Academic Press [etc.]. [Source]

Historical botanical illustration of a tulip plant showing a slender green stem with elongated leaves and a cluster of unique flowers. The flowers feature three pale petals each, adorned with distinctive dark spots and intricate curling stamens. One bud remains closed, indicating an early blooming stage. The background is plain beige, resembling aged paper, with handwritten notes and publication details at the bottom and top right corner. The illustration highlights delicate botanical details typical of early 19th-century scientific art.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

🦎 A key to the birds of the Hawaiian group Honolulu, H.I., Bishop Museum Press, 1901. [Source]

Black and white historical illustration titled "A key to the birds of the Hawaiian group," showing 22 preserved bird specimens arranged in four rows, each labeled with small tags. The birds vary in size and shape, many featuring curved beaks typical of Hawaiian honeycreepers. At the bottom, two larger bird specimens lie flat. The image is from the 1901 Bishop Museum Press publication. Despite the keyword "newt," the image focuses exclusively on bird species, with no amphibians depicted. Several scientific names are noted below the image, identifying the bird specimens shown.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · yesterday

🌅 Choix des plus belles fleurs: . Paris: Ernest Panckoucke, [1833?].. [Source]

Illustration of three morning glory flowers in purple and blue hues, with prominent yellow centers and star-shaped patterns. The flowers are attached to slender, winding green stems and accompanied by large, heart-shaped green leaves. Two flower buds are visible, indicating blooms about to open. The image is a detailed botanical drawing on a plain, light background, highlighting the morning glory's delicate structure and vibrant colors.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🛡 Smithsonian contributions to knowledge Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1848-1916. [Source]

Historical scientific illustration from Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge (1848-1916) showing detailed cross-sections of various mammal femurs. The image includes labeled circular and oval bone structures, highlighting the right femur of Tatu novemcinctus (armadillo) alongside femurs of an orangutan, tiger, anteater, gorilla, monkey, gibbon, and chimpanzee. Each bone is intricately drawn to reveal internal cellular structure, emphasizing differences in size and shape among species. The armadillo femur is notably elongated with a complex network of internal cavities, contrasting with the more compact, solid forms of other mammals shown. The page is titled "Mammals" and documents comparative anatomy for scientific study.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🐝 Études sur la famille des vespides / Paris: V. Masson ;1852-1858. [Source]

Historical scientific illustration titled "Théorie de la Nidification" from "Études sur la famille des vespides," showing detailed diagrams of wasp nests and nest-building structures. The image includes various labeled figures depicting cross sections, geometric shapes, and structural layers of nests, with emphasis on the arrangement of honeycomb-like cells and protective outer layers. Some figures illustrate nests attached to branches or encapsulated within protective casings. The drawings highlight theoretical understanding of nest construction across different wasp species, with precise line work and annotations in French. The overall layout is organized to show progressive complexity in wasp nest architecture.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🐒 A hand-book to the primates. v.1 London: W.H. Allen & Co., Ltd., 1894. [Source]

Illustration of a red-footed night monkey perched on a tree branch, showing its distinctive large round eyes adapted for night vision, small rounded ears, and reddish-brown fur on its feet and hands. Its body is covered in dense grayish-brown fur, with a long, bushy tail. The background features green leaves, suggesting a forest habitat. The image is labeled "PLATE XV" in the upper right corner, and titled "THE RED-FOOTED NIGHT-MONKEY" at the bottom. This vintage drawing emphasizes anatomical and color details typical of this nocturnal primate species.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🦎 The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: . London: printed for C. Marsh [etc.]1754.. [Source]

Illustration from 1754 showing a brown iguana with textured skin and small spines along its back, perched on a branch of a fruit-bearing tree. The branch has large, green leaves with prominent veins and a single large, pear-shaped fruit hanging from it. The iguana grips the branch with sharp claws, and the image is rendered with fine detail and subtle shading, typical of natural history drawings from the era. The background is plain, emphasizing the animal and plant. Labels "Lacertus Ind." and "Anna" are visible near the bottom, indicating species names or classifications.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🌅 A guide to the wild flowers.. New York, F. A. Stokes[1899]. [Source]

Illustration from an 1899 guide showing a detailed botanical drawing of the Cypress-vine (Quamoclit coccinea). The vine features slender stems entwined around a central support, with elongated, heart-shaped leaves and delicate morning-glory-like trumpet flowers in various stages of bloom. Fine line shading highlights the leaf veins and flower petals. The illustration emphasizes the plant’s climbing habit and morning blooming pattern typical for its species. The page is labeled "PLATE CLIV. CYPRESS-VINE. Quamoclit coccinea."

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🌺 British phaenogamous botany, . Oxford, Published by the author, sold by J.H. Parker [etc.]1834-43.. [Source]

Illustration of the Marsh-Marigold (Caltha palustris) from an 1835 Oxford botanical publication. The main subject is a tall green stem bearing three bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers with detailed central stamens. Broad, rounded dark green leaves with serrated edges are attached near the top of the stem. Below the main plant, smaller sketches show the flower’s parts, including a yellow seed head, a single brown seed, and a detailed dried flower structure resembling a spotted star. The background features faint printed text visible through the page, indicating the antique botanical book origin.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🐼 Smithsonian contributions to knowledge Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1848-1916. - Source: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9050002

Black-and-white scientific illustration from 1848-1916 depicting two detailed views of a bison mammal skull section. The top image shows a lateral view focusing on the broad forehead and curved horn base with texture highlighting bone structure. The bottom image presents a ventral or underside view of the same skull, revealing the nasal passages and horn core details. Both views emphasize the thick bone and ridged surface characteristic of Bison latifrons. The illustration is labeled "BISON LATIFRONS," indicating the species, and is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s historical contributions to mammal knowledge.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🐍 Reptiles and batrachians London, J. M. Dent & sons, ltd.: [1914] [Source]

Two black-and-white historical illustrations of snakes from a 1914 natural history book. The top image shows a Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchris) coiled around a small tree branch, highlighting its smooth, patterned skin and slender head. The bottom image features a Madagascar Tree Boa (Corallus madagascariensis) wrapped tightly around a vertical branch, emphasizing its muscular body and distinct scale texture. Both snakes are positioned in naturalistic poses on branches, demonstrating their arboreal nature. The illustrations provide detailed views of each species’ body shape and pattern, aiding identification and study within early 20th-century reptile research.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🌱 Histoire naturelle des végétaux: Paris, Librairie encyclopédique de Roret, 1834-1848. [Source]

Historical botanical illustration titled "Papayer commun" (common papaya), showing a tall papaya tree with large lobed leaves at the top. Surrounding the tree are detailed scientific drawings of various parts of the plant, including the flower, fruit, cross-sections of the fruit revealing the internal seed structure, and individual seeds. The illustration is monochrome and finely detailed, labeled with letters corresponding to each part. The page is from an 1834-1848 French natural history publication on plants in the Cucurbitaceae family.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🍎 La flore et la pomone francaises Paris: Chez l'auteur, rue Furstemberg, 1828-1833. [Source]

Illustration from "La flore et la pomone francaises" (1828-1833) depicting five pairs of cherries. The cherries vary in color and shading, including deep dark purple, black, reddish, and light yellowish tones. Each pair is attached to green stems, with subtle differences in shape and size among the groups. The image is labeled "CERISIER" (cherry tree) with numbered descriptions indicating different cherry varieties. The illustration emphasizes botanical accuracy and fruit detail, presenting a clear, scientific study of cherry types. The background is plain, highlighting the fruit without distractions.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🐐 The royal natural history London: F. Warne, 1893-1896. [Source]

Historical black and white illustration titled "Alpine Ibex" from "The Royal Natural History" (1893-1896), depicting a group of ibexes on rocky mountainous terrain. The foreground shows several ibexes resting or standing, highlighted by the prominent large, curved horns of the males. A large ibex stands alert on a rock ledge to the right. The background features rugged, snow-capped peaks, emphasizing the alpine habitat of the species. The detailed line work captures the texture of the ibexes' fur, muscular builds, and distinctive horn shapes, portraying the natural environment and social behavior of this mountain-dwelling wild goat.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 2d ago

🦆 The royal natural history /. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1893-1896.. [Source]

Illustration of a group of ostriches in a naturalistic setting, showing both standing and resting birds. The foreground features three ostriches with long necks and large expressive eyes; one stands facing forward with brown feathers, while two others display black and white plumage. A resting bird lies on the ground among rocks and sparse grass. The background depicts additional ostriches grazing on a sandy, open landscape with scattered greenery and a few palm trees under a clear sky. The image captures detailed textures of feathers, legs, and beaks, highlighting the ostrich’s distinctive physical characteristics.

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 3d ago

🌞 Annual report of the Laguna Marine Laboratory Claremont, Calif.: Dept. of Biology, Pomona College, 1912- [Source]

Illustration from the 1912 annual report of the Laguna Marine Laboratory, Pomona College, showing detailed scientific drawings of marine organism structures. The image features five numbered cross-sectional views of tubular marine specimens, highlighting internal anatomy with fine lines and shading. Below these, a larger, detailed vertical section depicts elongated fibrous tissues and cellular formations. The illustration emphasizes anatomical features relevant to marine biology research in California, reflecting early 20th-century scientific study methods. The page header indicates the source as Pomona College, Claremont, California, with the page number 127.