The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
The Pocket Museum: Edward Lhwyd's 'Lithophylacium'
Secondary Title (i.e. Proceedings Title): Periodical Title:Archives of Natural History Publication Type:Journal Article Authors:Hellyer,MarcusEditors: Publisher: Place of Publication: Publication Date:1996 Alternate Date (i.e. Conference Date): Volume:23 Issue:1 Start Page:43 End Page:60 Abstract:In his 'Lithophylacii Britannici Ichnographia' (1699), Edward Lhwyd, keeper of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, sought to bridge the gap between museums and practical fieldwork in natural history through a detailed description and classification of the fossils in the museum's collection. The book expresses Lhwyd's belief that collection and observation rather than speculation were the bases of natural history, so his work was not merely a catalog but also a handbook or 'portable museum' to be used in the field. He kept his theories about the origins of fossils separate from his descriptions, accepting that all knowledge was provisional and hoping that his work would make a contribution toward the definitive solution to what was at the time a highly controversial question. [ABC-CLIO, Ltd.]
Descriptors/Keywords:Ashmolean Museum
Fossils
Great Britain
Lhwyd, Edward '(Lithophylacii Britannici Ichnographia)'
Natural History
ISBN:02609541 URL:http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hia&AN=H001535257.01&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live
Documents in Print Item: No Documents Listed in Print Item Attached People: No People Attached To This Print Item Location(s): No Locations Attached To This
Bibliographic Source(s): No Bibliographic Sources Attached To This Item
Items Which List This As A Bibliographic Source: None Images Contained: No Images Attached To This Item
Objects Contained: No Objects Attached To This Item
Annotation: