Dendrites and agates, 1775-1781

Dendrites and agates, 1775-1781. Hand-coloured engraving of dendrites (stones with tree-like markings), some of which have been enhanced by the artist to make them more remarkable. At the time there was little understanding of the geological timescale or of the formation of rocks. Figs 2 and 3 are 'portraits of moors', one with a 'Spanish hat'! Fig 7 is a 'stone of Florence' in which a landscape with three figures 'can be seen', and fig 11 shows a 'swaddled child'. Figs 12, 13 and 14 are agates. Illustration from 'Premiere [-seconde] centurie de planches enluminees et non enluminees representant au naturel ce qui se trouve de plus interessant et de plus curieux parmi les animaux, les vegetaux et les mineraux...'. This work on the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, by Pierre-Joseph Buc'hoz (1731-1807), was published in Paris between 1775 and 1781. ©SSPL/Science Museum