Mammals · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good. Border on the left side roughly cut. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue. Light offset and browning, mainly around the edges. Please study the image carefully.
The image features three different mammal species:
1. **Sciurus aureventer** - This is likely an old taxonomic name, and the animal depicted resembles a squirrel, recognizable by its bushy tail and alert posture. The term "aureventer" suggests a golden or yellowish belly.
2. **Capromys poeyi** - Also known as the Cuban hutia, a rodent native to Cuba. It's larger than a typical squirrel, with a robust body, short legs, and a less bushy tail. Hutias are known for their strong teeth and jaws, which are adapted to their herbivorous diet.
3. **Georychus lemmus** - This could be a mislabeling, as "Georychus" is a genus that includes the Cape mole-rat, and "lemmus" is often associated with lemmings. The animal depicted here looks similar to a mole-rat or lemming, both of which are small, burrowing rodents.
The print is a hand-colored engraving, typical of the mid-19th century. The coloration is carefully applied to highlight features such as the fur's texture and color patterns. These prints were vital educational tools for natural history studies before the widespread use of color photography.
