Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

RaySocietyBooks

@raysocietybooks.bsky.social

100 followers 130 following 1 posts

The Ray Society a 180 yr old non-profit charity named after eminent naturalist John Ray (1628-1705) publishes natural history works often unavailable elsewhere. raysociety.org.uk

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

RaySocietyBooks @raysocietybooks.bsky.social · Mar 30

The Ray Society is now on Bluesky! Most recent publication ‘Biology, evolution and genetic review of the chemosymbiotic Bivalve Family Lucinidae’ by John Taylor and Emily Glover RRP £98 from the Ray Society and NHBS websites.

4 12

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 1d

The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836 London: Published by Smith, Elder and Co., 65 Cornhill, 1839-1843. (source: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48899156) #nature #illustration #art

1 4

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 22h

🕸️ The animal kingdom
London: Printed for G.B. Whittaker, 1827-1835.

[Source]

Illustration from "The Animal Kingdom" (London, 1827-1835) depicting four detailed drawings of different arachnids, specifically harvestmen. Each arachnid has a segmented body and long, thin legs, with variations in leg length and body shape. The species are labeled as 1. Pycnogonum grotesipes, 2. Pyc. littorale, 3. Pyc. sanguineum, and 4. Nymphon gracile. The drawings emphasize anatomical features such as jointed legs, claws, and body segments, reflecting an early 19th-century scientific study of arachnid morphology. The paper shows slight aging with minor spots.

3 14

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Lukas Large @lukaslarge.bsky.social · 17h

Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you've shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews.
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting #naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#MycoBookClub

BRITISH PUFFBALLS EARTHSTARS

A N STINKHORNS

AN ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH GASTEROID FUNGI

D N Pegler

T Læssøe

B M Spooner

2 11

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Dr Alex Bond @thelabandfield.bsky.social · 14h

They don't title books like they used to... #ImpingementOfMan

1 13

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Mark Witton @markwitton.bsky.social · 14h

Why look: a box of some sort of newish, bookish things arrived this morning. Seems to be about spinosaurid #dinosaurs... coauthored with @davehone.bsky.social... and published by Bloomsbury. Available 6th of November In the UK; then worldwide in early 2026.

5 19 110

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Saimi Hanma ⚔️ @saimihanma.bsky.social · 1d

Earth and fossil bundle, $15 plus shipping (US only)

Reading the rocks by brenda maddox
life by richard fortey
earth by richard fortey

4 2 7

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Saimi Hanma ⚔️ @saimihanma.bsky.social · 1d

Tree and forest bundle, $15 plus shipping (US only).

The Tree and Lives of the Trees are both former library books, yet in excellent shape.

The Tree by colin tudge
lives of teh trees by diana wells
the wood for the trees by richard fortey

1 3 10

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Morning Tea @morning-tea.bsky.social · 23h

Biology. Everything you didn't know about wasps and the study of wasps. I learned things and ended up with a more positive outlook on wasps.

Author: @waspwoman.bsky.social

#bookskt #invertebrates

Cover of "Endless forms: The secret world of wasps" by Seirian Summer. White cover with wasp wings outstretched on it.

3 4 14

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

The Well-read Naturalist @wellreadnaturalist.bsky.social · 2d

"The Deorhord" is as entertaining as it is informative. @hanavideen.bsky.social brings life to the stories behind the words in a way that is a true delight to read. I very much recommend it to all philologists, etymologists, "word nerds," and of course, natural history enthusiasts. #Booksky

Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · 2d

A delightful journey through the weird & wonderful world of #OldEnglish, The Deorhord by @hanavideen.bsky.social is a magical menagerie of new creatures & new words for the modern "englisc" reader to discover.

Now available in #paperback. Explore a free sample: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...

The Deorhord: An Old English Bestiary by Hana Videen

3 6

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 1d

🪲 Insecta Britanica: Diptera. v.1.
London: Reeve and Benham, 1851-56.

[Source]

Historical scientific illustration titled "Diptera, Pl. X" from "Insecta Britanica: Diptera," 1851-56, depicting detailed black-and-white line drawings of various British two-winged insects (Diptera). The plate features full-body views of multiple fly species with wings spread, alongside detailed close-ups of anatomical parts such as eyes, wings, legs, antennae, and larval stages, each numbered for reference. The style is precise and technical, aimed at entomological study, showing wing venation patterns, body segments, and appendages clearly on a light beige background. Publisher imprint "Reeve & Nichols" appears at the bottom.

3 10

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 1d

If you love moth trapping, or any other study of natural history (a particular group or perhaps everything), and you are curious about how it all works but don’t have a strong scientific background you really should read this book. You will be both amazed and probably slightly worried. Give it a go.

2 3 6

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

MIT Press @mitpress.bsky.social · 1d

In "Atlas of Macroscopes," @katyborner.bsky.social, Elizabeth Record, and Todd Theriault take readers on a fascinating data adventure through the lens of macroscopes, which offer illuminating and holistic views of our ever-changing world: mitpress.mit.edu/978026204992...

Photo of "Atlas of Macroscopes: Interactive Data Visualizations" by Katy Borner, Elizabeth Record, and Todd Theriault. The cover features a colorful visualization of data as depicted in the book.

3 7

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Clare Blencowe @clareblencowe.bsky.social · 1d

Oh, this must be my cue to repost the interview I did with the author 😁

▶️ mycobookclub.blogspot.com/p/interviews...

Interviews

Q&A with Dr. Toshimitsu Fukiharu, author of Mushroom Botanical Art Tuesday 1 March 2022 Dr. Toshimitsu Fukiharu is a curator and senior rese...

mycobookclub.blogspot.com

4 5

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Lukas Large @lukaslarge.bsky.social · 1d

pie.co.jp/book/i/5475/...

Mushroom Botanical Art | PIE International

The bestselling collection of botanical drawings of mushrooms is now available in a new English edition!!

pie.co.jp

1 2 5

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Hope Jahren @realhopejahren.bsky.social · 3d

If you study plants, you need this book.
🧵1/n

The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Plants

A dazzlingly illustrated guide to the plant life of the dinosaur age, from intricate ferns to the most majestic megaflora

press.princeton.edu

1 25 69

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 3d

🔭 The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836
London: Published by Smith, Elder and Co., 65 Cornhill, 1839-1843.

[Source]

Illustration of a Limnornis curvirostris bird perched on a leafy green branch. The bird has a slender, curved beak, prominent eye stripe, and brown and white plumage with layered feathers on its wings and tail. The detailed drawing highlights the bird's natural posture and feather texture, typical of 19th-century scientific expedition artwork documenting wildlife from the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle (1832-1836). The background is plain, emphasizing the bird and branch.

1 18

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 3d

🧠 Report on the zoological collections made in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Alert' 1881-2.
London: Printed by order of the Trustees, 1884.

[Source]

Illustration from an 1884 report on zoological collections in the Indo-Pacific by H.M.S. "Alert," showing detailed, labeled pencil sketches of three crab species: Euxanthus tuberculosus (A), Hypoecius punctatus (B), and Banareia inconspicua (C). The drawing highlights the crabs’ carapaces, claws, and leg structures with close-up views of their distinctive textures and anatomical features, such as tubercles and spines. The image reflects 19th-century scientific documentation methods linked to Darwinian natural history and species classification during exploratory voyages.

7 51

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Sarah Finn @romanceofbooks.bsky.social · 3d

Moths from ‘The Naturalist’s Library,’ Entomology Volume IV, by James Duncan and edited by Sir William Jardine. Engraved and printed by William Home Lizars and hand colored by women working in his printshop. Edinburgh, 1836.

#naturalhistory #entomology #lepidoptera #insectart #mothart #sciart

2 4 24

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 5d

🦋 An epitome of the natural history of the insects of China: London: Printed for the author, by T. Bensley, and sold by White, Fleet-Street, Faulder, Bond-Street, Bell, Oxford-Street, &c., 1798.

[Source]

2 11

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

NHM Library and Archives @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social · 5d

A peek on the returns shelf to see some of the items Museum staff have been returning recently... 🔎📚

#NaturalHistoryMuseum #Shelfie #ModernCollections #BookSky #Palaeontology #Invertebrates #NorthAtlantic #Flora #India #Fossils #Fishes

Seven books displayed on a table in a library.

1 18

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 4d

💐 Leaves from the book of nature, Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars;[184-?]

[Source]

Illustration titled "Leaves from the Book of Nature" showing various species of British butterflies arranged in clusters, each group perched on delicately sketched garden plants. Butterflies display diverse wing patterns and colors, including orange, brown, black, white, blue, and red hues. The detailed artwork combines hand-colored butterflies with fine line drawings of botanical elements, capturing the natural garden habitat. The page includes text identifying the butterflies and publisher information at the bottom. This vintage print highlights the beauty and variety of butterflies commonly found in British gardens.

7 62

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Dr Jill Whitelock @jillwhitelock.bsky.social · 4d

Excited to find drawings of moths by FW Frohawk (1861-1946) in the archive of biologist William Bateson @theul.bsky.social.

They’re catalogued as ‘27 drawings of Milan Leps’, but think this should be ‘Melan[istic] Leps’? Do they look right for showing melanism, #TeamMoth? MS Add. 8634/J.3 #EntHist

Montage showing coloured illustrations of moths and the envelope in which they’re kept. There is blue handwriting on the envelope, which might read: ‘Frohawk’s drawings [o]f Melan[istic] Leps’.

1 10 41

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Biodiversity Pics @biodiversitypix.bsky.social · 4d

🥚 The birds of the British Isles and their eggs.
London ;F. Warne, 1920.

[Source]

Historical illustration from 1920 titled "The birds of the British Isles and their eggs," featuring two species. The top depicts two Razorbills with dark brown upperparts and white underparts, resting among grass and cotton-like flowers. The bottom shows a Richardson's Skua standing on a rock, dark brown with white belly, and a group of similar birds in the background on cliffs. Both birds are detailed with natural coloring and realistic postures, highlighting their typical habitats. The image serves as an educational depiction related to British bird species and their eggs.

5 37

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

old wildlife illustrations @wildlife.nathan.fun · 4d

The stalk-eyed Crustacea Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895. (source: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13885353) #nature #illustration #art

The stalk-eyed Crustacea
Cambridge, Printed for the Museum, 1895.
https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13885353�

1 13

Reposted by RaySocietyBooks

Art History Animalia @arthistoryanimalia.bsky.social · Oct 13

Today is also #AfricanPenguinAwarenessDay!
🚨 The African #Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is an #EndangeredSpecies.
Plate by Joseph Smit (1836–1929) from “Report on the birds collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76” (1881).
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sp...

digitized scan of a color book plate in portrait orientation, natural history art / scientific illustration: portrait of a standing African Penguin on the shore with colony in background

3 5