Moths and their Caterpillars. Henry Humphreys antique print c1845.

by Humphreys, H.N.

Blood Vein Moth, Bradyepetes, Epione, Eurymene, Aspilates, Phalaena, Larentia.

Original  hand-coloured lithograph arranged and illustrated by H.N. Humphreys, with characters and descriptions by J.O. Westwood, F.L.S. and secretary of the Entomological Society, (1805-1893), for British Moths and their Transformations published in London c1845.

Henry Noel Humphreys (1810-1879), was an English author, artist and amateur naturalist. His representation of the lifecycle transformations of butterflies with caterpillar, chrysalis and their host plants was commended by the Curators, and adopted at the British Museum. The exquisite medieval manuscripts he studied in Italy are surely reflected in Humphreys' exquisite antique prints of butterflíes and moths.

Humphreys wrote: “The study of natural history is the learning of the characters with which the wonderful story of nature is written... cannot conceive a more pleasing and natural introduction to its general study than entomology, of which I think the division of Lepidoptera.. the most easy and attractive section. H.N. Humphreys, Esq.”

This page has age-discolouration. Size is 270 x 205mm (10 5/8 x 8 inches).