A History of British Fishes is a natural history book by William Yarrell, serialised in 19 parts from 1835, and then published bound in two volumes in 1836. It is a handbook describing every type of fish then known to occur in the British Isles. Yarrell was a London bookseller and newsagent with the time and income to indulge his interest in natural history. He was a prominent member of several natural history societies, had an extensive library and collection of specimens, and a wide network of naturalist friends who helped him garner material for his writings, notably his book on fishes and the 1843 A History of British Birds. He followed Thomas Bewick's example with up-to-date data, accurate illustrations, and detailed descriptions. The woodcut illustrations were drawn by Alexander Fussell, engraved by John Thompson, and published by John Van Voorst. Yarrell died in 1856; the third edition was produced posthumously. The book was a commercial success and became a standard reference work.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_British_Fishes
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1933:
American singer Jimmie Rodgers died at the Taft Hotel in New York City. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_Rodgers
1967:
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of the first progressive rock albums, was released. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper%27s_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band
1989:
Tropical Storm Cecil dissipated over Laos after devastating Quảng Nam province, Vietnam, and causing the deaths of 751 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Cecil
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
pretty penny: (idiomatic, informal) Chiefly preceded by a: a considerable amount of money; a high income or price. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pretty_penny
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The clouds never expect it When it rains But the sea changes color But the sea does not change And so with the slow graceful flow of age I went forth with an age old desire to please On the edge of seventeen. --Stevie Nicks https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stevie_Nicks