Scarabaeus Tityus. United States, Dynastes tityus Rhinoceros Beetle.

by Lizars, William Home

Eastern Hercules Beetle, Jardine's Naturalist's Library, antique print c1835.

Original hand-coloured steel engraving by Edinburgh engraver and publisher, William Home Lizars (1788-1859), for The Naturalist's Library, a series of natural history works by Scottish naturalist, Sir William Jardine. 

Under the guidance of eminent naturalists, for this ‘Library’ Lizars produced over 1,200 beautiful engravings that are considered to be some of the finest natural history miniature portraits ever produced. The subject stands out superbly without a background.

The paper of this antique print is rather age-discoloured, as is to be expected when nearly 200 years old. Size of engraving is 7 x 4 inches or 18 x 10cm.