| Reference number | MS/132 |
| Previous numbers | MS 132 |
| Level | SubFonds |
| Title | The Original Drawings of the Rotifera by Charles Thomas Hudson LL.D |
| Creator | Hudson; Charles Thomas (1828 - 1903); Naturalist |
| Date | 1886 |
| Description | Scrapbook containing original illustrations of microscopic views of Rotifera (microscopic aquatic animals), later published in 'The Rotifera or Wheel-Animalcules' (London, 1886) by Charles Thomas Hudson in collaboration with Philip Henry Gosse. The first two volumes of the published work describe 250 species of British Rotifera. A supplemental Volume III (published 1889) added foreign Rotifera and updated the findings of new British forms.
The original illustrations are mostly by Charles Hudson with two pages at the end of the volume containing original pencil drawings by Philip Henry Gosse for the supplemental third volume of their publication, published after Gosse's death. Some illustrations (marked with the initials PHG) are copies by Hudson after orginals by Gosse.
Illustrations are executed in pencil, ink and ink wash with some areas of watercolour on most images. They have been pasted onto board, with multiple illustrations appearing on a single page. Each image is numbered and a corresonding numbered list provides the scientific name of the species, gender of the specimen depicted and the view shown in the image (e.g. 'from top', 'side view' etc.). Multiple views of some species are present.
The first folio in the volume bears the name 'Florence Hudson' illuminated in red and pale blue inks with a botanical motif. This likely refers to Florence, daughter of Charles Hudson, who donated the volume to the Royal Society and may have assisted in compiling it in preparation for the illustrations to be printed. |
| Extent | 1 volume comprising 31 folios |
| Physical description | Drawings mounted on thin board with gilt edges. Bound in brown leather with gilt tooling and marbled end papers. Spine missing. |
| Dimensions | Size 16.5 x 12.5 inches |
| Access status | Open |
| Copyright | The Royal Society |
| URL description | Digital version available on The Royal Society Turning the Pages |
| URL | https://ttp.royalsociety.org/ttp/ttp.html?id=c6fe59fb-dfd2-4081-8522-b3ab550b57f4&type=book |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA6971 | Hudson; Charles Thomas (1828 - 1903); naturalist | 1828 - 1903 |
| NA1811 | Gosse; Philip Henry (1810 - 1888) | 1810 - 1888 |