London, The Royal Society, 1781. 4to (25.5 x 19.3 cm). 54 pp.; four engraved plates (three large, double folded). Later boards with printed label mounted on front board.

Apparently the first monograph on termites. This work precedes Smeathman's Mémoire pour servir à l'histoire de quelques insectes connus sous les noms de termès, ou formis blanches (1786), the more widely known French translation. Henry Smeathman (1750-1787) travelled to Guinea and made detailed observations on the termite buildings' shapes and structure, as well on the animals themselves. One plate has detailed engravings of labourers, soldiers, etc., the other depict nests, etc. One of a few taxonomic publications addressed to the famous Sir Joseph Banks. Extracted from the Philosophical Transactions, pp. 139-192. Some browning and medium offsetting, otherwise in a good condition. Rare in this uncut state. Hagen II, p. 168; Horn-Schenkling, 20545.