Animal Biography or Popular Zoology, comprising Authentic Anecdotes of the Economy, Habits of Life, Instincts, and Sagacity, of the Animal Creation, Rev. W. Bingley, 1813

Animal Biography or Popular Zoology by the Rev. W. Bingley, F.L.S., Fourth Edition (London, 1813), is a detailed early 19th-century study of the habits, instincts, and intelligence of animals, arranged according to the Linnaean system. Covering quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects, and worms, it combines observational accounts with anecdotes, and features high-quality engraved plates, some hand-coloured, that complement the zoological descriptions.

Religion is woven throughout the text. Bingley interprets animal behaviour and instincts as evidence of divine design, reflecting natural theology of the period. Observations of parental care, social organization, and survival strategies are often linked to reflections on God’s wisdom and the moral order of creation, blending scientific observation with moral and spiritual instruction for the reader.

Animal Biography or Popular Zoology, comprising Authentic Anecdotes of the Economy, Habits of Life, Instincts, and Sagacity, of the Animal Creation. Arranged According to the System of Linnnaeus. In Three Volumes. Fourth Edition, with an addition of more than One Hundred and Forty Species. By the Rev. W. Bingley, Fellow of the Linnnean Society and Late of Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Comprises;

Vol I: Quadrapeds; 

Vol II: Cetaceous Animals-Birds-Amphibious Animals; and; 

Vol III: Fishes-Insects-Worms.

Printed for F.C. and J. Rivington; Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Co; John Walker; Darton, Harvey, and Co.; C. Law; E. Jeffery; D. Scholey; J. Booker; Sherwood, Neeley, and Jones; Cradock and Joy; Gale, Curtis, and Co.; and T. Hamilton, London, 1813. Fourth Edition.

A good set of this uncommon work, perhaps most noted for its really striking, high quality engraved plates, some of which are hand coloured in these volumes.

Provenance: Bookplate of "Somerville Arthur Gurney" to pastedowns, and scripted "W.R. Davies" to endpaper.

Hardbacks with vellum spines and corners and paper covered boards. Spines with gilt blacl morocco title labels and volume number roundels. Covers worn, rubbed and scuffed, but contents soundly bound. Vellum split along some joint edges, and some rubbing and wear to surface.

Text is bright and clear throughout, with occasional age-related small flaw.

Language: English
Vol I: xxxix + 520pp (plus 13 Plates, including 1 hand-coloured, and one either trimmed or tipped-in); 
Vol II: 466pp (plus 9 Plates, including 4 hand-coloured); and; 
Vol III: (1) + (2) + 495pp (plus 4 Plates, including 2 hand-coloured, and one either trimmed or tipped-in)

Dimensions: Each volume approximately 221 × 144 × c.35 mm.
Weight: Approximately 2.18kg (the set - unpacked).