Mammals · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue. Area top right shows some soiling. Please study the image carefully.
This original antique engraving displays three different mammalian species:
1. **Mephitis mephitis** - Commonly known as the striped skunk. Characterized by its prominent striped fur running from head to tail, and its bushy tail. Skunks are well known for their ability to spray a strong-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism.
2. **Mydaus meliceps** - This likely refers to a species of stink badger, which are known for their similar defensive spraying abilities. They have a distinctive white patch on their head and a less bushy tail compared to skunks.
3. **Caiidæ elegans** - This name does not directly correspond to a known species and may be an antiquated or misapplied name. It could be a reference to a member of the family Canidae, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and other similar mammals. They are known for their elongated snouts, upright ears, and bushy tails.
The print is another fine example of a hand-colored engraving from Pierre Auguste Joseph Drapiez's 'Dictionnaire Classique des Sciences Naturelles'. These illustrations would have been crucial for the 19th-century study of natural history, providing detailed visual references for education and scientific communication.
