Sharp Naturalist Eye. Nicandra physalodes, Shoo-fly Plant, and a 'Cicada', Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Louis Éconches Feuillée (1660-1732), Louis XIV's great naturalist, astronomer and explorer - granted the titel of 'Royal Mathematician' -, traveled widely in the West Indies and South America between 1707 and 1712. On his return to France he published his Journal des Observations (1714-1725) in three big volumes with many engravings. It all makes for fascinating reading!
Of course, Feuillée describes his specific plants precisely; in this case a Peruvian plant he calls 'Alkekengi amplo flore violaceo' - today we know it as Nicandra physalodes. In his long description he writes enthusiastically, too, about an insect he found on one of that plant's leaves. With his microscope (!) he closely examines it and observes - in a full page in small print - how the tiny organs are similar to those of far larger creatures. Thus the little beastie demonstrates the greatness of the Creator himself. The inset in the photo gives his rendition of this 'cicad-like' insect; it was engraved by Pierre Giffart (1631/38-1723).
Sharp Naturalist Eye. Nicandra physalodes, Shoo-fly Plant, and a 'Cicada', Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Louis Éconches Feuillée (1660-1732), Louis XIV's great naturalist, astronomer and explorer - granted the titel of 'Royal Mathematician' -, traveled widely in the West Indies and South America between 1707 and 1712. On his return to France he published his Journal des Observations (1714-1725) in three big volumes with many engravings. It all makes for fascinating reading!
Of course, Feuillée describes his specific plants precisely; in this case a Peruvian plant he calls 'Alkekengi amplo flore violaceo' - today we know it as Nicandra physalodes. In his long description he writes enthusiastically, too, about an insect he found on one of that plant's leaves. With his microscope (!) he closely examines it and observes - in a full page in small print - how the tiny organs are similar to those of far larger creatures. Thus the little beastie demonstrates the greatness of the Creator himself. The inset in the photo gives his rendition of this 'cicad-like' insect; it was engraved by Pierre Giffart (1631/38-1723).