Biodiversity Pics
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Biodiversity Pics
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The Biodiversity Heritage Library contains thousands of historical illustrations of flora and fauna. This unaffiliated bot shares random images from the collection.
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πŸ¦† American game birds
Worcester, Mass., C. K. Reed, 1912.

[Source]
Illustration from 1912 titled "American game birds" depicting three geese. One goose stands on a lakeshore with detailed gray and black feathers and a black neck and head. Two geese are shown flying above the lake, one with a reddish-brown chest and green head, the other with mottled brown feathers. The background shows a calm lake with two evergreen trees on a small island under a softly colored sky. The image is framed by a textured dark brown border resembling bird feathers or scales.
November 25, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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❄ The Danish Ingolf-Expedition.
Copenhagen: H. Hagerup, 1899-1928.

[Source]
Illustration from the Danish Ingolf Arctic Expedition (1899-1928) depicting detailed scientific drawings of various small marine arthropods, including multiple views of crustacean species such as pycnogonids (sea spiders) and other related organisms. The image shows segmented bodies, articulated limbs, claws, and sensory appendages with fine anatomical details, labeled with numbers and accompanied by Latin species names. This historical plate is rendered in delicate linework to document Arctic marine biodiversity observed during the expedition.
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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🐻 Brehms Tierleben
Leipzig, Bibliographisches Institut, 1911-19-

[Source]
Historical illustration from "Brehms Tierleben" (Leipzig, 1911-19) depicting a large, muscular grizzly bear standing on rocky terrain. The bear’s dark fur contrasts with the light stone background, and its powerful climbing claws are visible on the rocks. The setting includes rugged cliffs and sparse vegetation, emphasizing the bear's natural mountainous habitat. The bear’s head is turned slightly upward, showing its broad face and small ears. The word "Grizzly-BΓ€r" is printed to the right, identifying the species. The illustration highlights the strength and imposing presence of the grizzly in a realistic, detailed style.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 AM
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πŸ‘©β€πŸŒΎ L'Illustration horticole: Gand, Belgium: Imprimerie et lithographie de F. et E. Gyselnyck, 1854-1896.

[Source]
Illustration of Alsophila contaminans, a type of tree fern, from a 19th-century horticultural publication. The plant features a tall, slender, dark brown trunk with subtle textured markings, topped by a crown of large, arching green fronds with delicate, feather-like leaflets. The detailed botanical drawing highlights the plant’s distinctive foliage and trunk structure, set against a plain beige background with the plant's scientific name printed below. The image reflects historical botanical art styles from the mid-1800s in Belgium.
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 AM
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🦫 The American beaver and his works..
Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1868..

[Source]
Historical illustration titled "Natural Pond and Beaver Canals" from 1868, depicting a large natural pond covering 40 acres, surrounded by detailed representations of beaver canals and lodges. The map shows four canals extending from the pond, each labeled with their lengths and connecting to multiple beaver lodges situated along these waterways. The illustration includes contour lines indicating water depth, dense vegetation around the pond, and a compass rose for orientation. The work highlights the engineering and habitat of American beavers through their constructed canals and lodges around the pond.
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 AM
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🐼 Copepodi parassiti dei pesci d'Italia (con XXI tavole).
Genova, R. Istituto Sordomuti, 1906..

[Source]
Historical scientific illustration depicting four detailed colored drawings of copepod parasites that infest Italian fish. Each copepod is shown from a dorsal view, with segmented bodies and distinct patterns of dark brown, reddish, and beige coloring. The top left figure is labeled "Pandarus bicolor," notable for its bicolored body pattern. The other three copepods exhibit varied anatomical features and coloration, with intricate body parts such as antennae and legs visible. The illustrations are framed on a cream background, with handwritten scientific names and gender symbols beneath. This 1906 plate focuses on marine parasitology, not related to the panda animal.
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
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🌲 Atlas der baumarten von Java: Lieden: Buch- und Steindruckerei, 1913-18.

[Source]
Historical botanical illustration from the "Atlas der Baumarten von Java" (1913-18) depicting various parts of the tree species Engelhardtia serrata in the Juglandaceae family. The image shows detailed pencil drawings of leaves, a male flowering branch, female flower, fruit clusters, leaf underside with detailed textures, and close-ups of male flowers and their internal structures. A full tree silhouette is included for scale, marked at 5 meters tall. The illustration provides an informative botanical study with labeled parts to aid species identification.
November 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
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🐼 The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the years 1832 to 1836
London: Published by Smith, Elder and Co., 65 Cornhill, 1839-1843.

[Source]
Illustration of a marine mammal identified as Delphinus Fitz-Royi, depicted in a side profile. The animal has a streamlined body typical of dolphins, with a dark back, lighter underbelly, and a distinct white stripe running along its side. Its dorsal fin is tall and curved, and the pectoral fins are broad. The dolphin's mouth is slightly open, showing a row of sharp teeth, and a small, round eye is visible. The drawing is detailed and realistic, created in muted tones of black, gray, and white, consistent with 19th-century scientific illustrations from the H.M.S. Beagle voyage.
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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πŸ“ Rayner's 1945 berry book..
Salisbury, Md.: Rayner Bros Inc., 1945..

[Source]
Illustration of the 1945 cover of "Rayner's Berry Book," featuring bright red strawberries labeled with different varieties such as Dorset, Catskill, and Premier. The strawberries are arranged against a textured green and beige background, with the title "Rayner's" in large blue cursive letters diagonally across the center. Below the title is a yellow label box containing "1945 Berry Book" in bold black and blue text. The cover combines vivid fruit imagery and stylized text, conveying a vintage agricultural or gardening theme focused on berry cultivation.
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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πŸ—Ώ The Quarterly journal of the Geological Society of London. v. 8 (1852).
London [etc.].

[Source]
Illustration from an 1852 geological journal depicting various ancient fossilized shells from Thanet Sands. The detailed black-and-white drawings show multiple shell types, including bivalves and gastropods, with distinct ridges, spiral patterns, and surface textures. Some fossils are shown in profile, others from different angles, illustrating their shapes and structural details. The image includes small labeled insets highlighting specific features like surface patterns and cross-sections. The fossils vary in size and form, indicating diverse aquatic life from ancient geological periods. The image serves as a scientific reference for studying ancient marine fossils.
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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🌸 Flowers from Shakespeare's garden
[London]: Cassell & Co., Ltd., 1909.

[Source]
Illustration from 1909 titled "Flowers from Shakespeare's garden" depicting a woman personifying a pansy. She is draped in a yellow floral cloak edged with blue and gray pansy petals, with matching petals adorning her hair. Her expression is contemplative, with one hand resting on her face. Several small pansy flowers lie scattered around her feet. Above her is the text: "β€” and there is pansies, that's for thoughts." The style is delicate and vintage, emphasizing the pansy's association with thoughtfulness.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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🦜 Histoire naturelle et générale des grimpereaux et des oiseaux de paradis /.
Paris: Desray, an XI = 1802..

[Source]
Black and white historical illustration of a bird of paradise perched on a curved tree branch. The bird features detailed, overlapping feathers covering its body and large, fan-like tail feathers extending downward. Its head is bent forward with a sharp beak, and its claws grip the branch firmly. The branch shows texture and small growths, adding natural detail. The illustration is finely detailed, capturing the bird’s intricate plumage and graceful posture, characteristic of early 19th-century naturalist prints.
November 24, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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🐘 The wild beasts of the world /.
London: T. C. & E. C. Jack, [1909?].

[Source]
Illustration of an Indian elephant by Louis A. Sargent from a 1909 publication. The large, dark-skinned elephant is depicted in profile with a curved trunk and long, slightly curved tusks. In the background, smaller elephants and sparse vegetation are visible against a muted, earthy-toned landscape, suggesting a natural habitat at dusk or dawn. The elephant's skin texture and muscular build are detailed, emphasizing its strength and size. The image has a vintage, hand-colored style typical of early 20th-century wildlife illustrations.
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 AM
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🌎 North American herpetology: Philadelphia, J. Dobson;1842.

[Source]
Illustration from 1842 depicting two views of the North American frog species Hyla femoralis. The top image shows the frog in profile with brown and tan mottled patterns and a prominent orange eye. The lower image displays the frog’s underside with pale, slightly speckled skin and yellowish limbs splayed outward. Both views highlight anatomical details like webbed feet and limb structure. The illustration is set against a plain, cream-colored background with minimal text identifying the species and creators.
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
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πŸƒ The natural history of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands: London: Printed for B. White, 1771.

[Source]
Historical illustration from 1771 depicting two birds related to Carolina. The main subject is a large, gray and white bird with elongated tail feathers, orange beak, and feet, shown mid-flight with wings spread. Below it is a smaller brown bird perched on a leafy branch, with one wing raised and a blue patch on its lower body. The illustration highlights detailed feather patterns and natural coloration typical of 18th-century scientific drawings.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
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πŸ¦† Encyclopaedia londinensis, or, Universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature
London: Printed for the proprietor, by J. Adlard ..., sold at the Encyclopaedia Office ... by J. White ... and Champante and Whitrow ..., 1810-1829.

[Source]
Illustration titled "Conchology" from an 1810-1829 encyclopedia, depicting various detailed and colored shell specimens arranged around a central large shell. Among them are barnacles, mussels, and other marine shells numbered 1 to 14. Notably, numbers 10, 11, and 12 correspond to "The Duck or Goose Barnacle," illustrated with elongated stalks and textured capitula resembling a goose's head. The plate provides scientific names and highlights diversity in bivalves and multivalves, showcasing textures, shapes, and colors ranging from brown and red to white and black. The image blends natural history and taxonomy with artistic detailing typical of the early 19th century.
November 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM
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🌲 Atlas der baumarten von Java: Lieden: Buch- und Steindruckerei, 1913-18.

[Source]
Historical botanical illustration from "Atlas der baumarten von Java" (1913-18) depicting Thevetia neriifolia, a tree in the Apocynaceae family. The page shows detailed black-and-white sketches including cross-sections of the fruit displaying internal seed structure (labeled I, K, L), a solitary seed (M), a branch with narrow, elongated leaves and two fruits (O), and the full tree habitus illustrating its overall shape and foliage density (N). Each element is finely shaded to highlight textures and shapes, with scale indicators for size reference. The illustration aims to provide a scientific study of the species’ fruit anatomy, seed, and growth form.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
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🌊 D. Marcus Elieser Bloch's, ausübenden Arztes zu Berlin ... Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische Deutschlands ....
Berlin: Auf Kosten des Verfassers und in Commission bei dem BuchhΓ€ndler Hr. Hesse, 1782-1795..

[Source]
Illustration of a marble eel (Synbranchus marmoratus) from an 18th-century German natural history book. The eel’s elongated, serpentine body is coiled twice and features a mottled brown and tan pattern resembling marble. Its head is detailed with a slightly open mouth showing sharp teeth, and a prominent blue eye. A small circular diagram is included near the tail, possibly showing an anatomical detail. The image has a plain beige background framed by a black line, with a title and scientific name in the top right corner. The style is precise and naturalistic, typical of historical zoological illustrations.
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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πŸ₯’ Manuel d'actinologie ou de zoophytologie /.
Paris ;F.G. Levrault, 1834-[1836]..

[Source]
Historical scientific illustration depicting various marine anemones and related zoophytes. The image shows detailed, labeled drawings: at top left, a nodulose anemone with a bulbous base and petal-like tentacles (1); a fan-shaped udotea with broad, finger-like projections (2); a branching, segmented structure on the top right (1.a). Below are colorful, disc-like acetabula with long stalks in green and pink hues (3), and a collection of small, flower-like polyps on thin stems emerging from rounded bases (4, 4.a, 4.b, 4.c). The illustration exhibits careful shading and texturing typical of early 19th-century natural history art.
November 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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🦴 Palaeontographica.
Cassel: Theodor Fischer, 1862-

[Source]
Historical black and white illustration from "Palaeontographica" (1862) depicting various fossilized bivalve shells. The main subjects are detailed scans of multiple bivalve fossils showing different species, with one large, rounded shell at the center-top, two elongated, ribbed shells beneath it, and several smaller fossil samples distributed around them. Each fossil is numbered and labeled with scientific names, emphasizing texture, ridges, and shell morphology. The plate includes fine shading and cross-hatching to highlight fossil surface details, demonstrating the structure of bivalve shells from the Stramberger strata. The text is in German, attributing specimens to Boehm.
November 23, 2025 at 11:23 AM
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🦑 Johnson's household book of nature, .
New York, H.J.Johnson, [1880].

[Source]
Historical illustration from "Johnson's Household Book of Nature" (circa 1880) depicting four carnivorous mammals: a badger with distinct black and white facial markings and sharp claws near grass; a wolverine with a dark, thick coat and powerful limbs; a sea otter holding a fish with its paws, showing its rounded head and agile body; and another otter-like animal beside a rocky stream. The animals are positioned around a natural setting of rocks, water, and foliage, highlighting their diverse appearances and habitats. The plate is titled "Carnivora Plate XX," identifying each species on the right margin.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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πŸ”Ž The Naturalist's Pocket Magazine or compleat cabinet of the curiosities and beauties of nature.
London.

[Source]
Historical illustration of a "Golden Crowned Parroquet," a vibrant green parrot with a striking golden-yellow patch on its forehead, red eyes, and a hooked dark beak. The bird has blue and dark green feathers on its wings and long tail feathers with subtle yellow highlights. It is perched on a textured, curved tree branch above a small patch of green grass and foliage. The naturalistic style captures fine feather details and the bird’s firm grip on the branch. The vintage artwork, part of "The Naturalist’s Pocket Magazine," showcases nature’s curiosities through detailed, colorful depiction.
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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πŸ‰ The living world: .
Boston: Samuel Walker & Co., 1868-1870, c1868..

[Source]
Historical illustration titled "Pigeons" from "The living world," depicting six pigeon breeds: Runt (brownish with black wing marks), Black Mottled Tumbler (dark with reddish neck stripes), Dragon (white and gray with black wing bars), Blue Pouter (distinctive large inflated crop, barred wings), Archangel (orange and black), and Suabian (black with silver-scaled pattern). Each pigeon is shown in profile, highlighting plumage colors and unique physical features, especially the Blue Pouter's puffed chest. The image is a detailed, color lithograph from Boston, dated circa 1868, by Samuel Walker & Co.
November 23, 2025 at 5:23 AM
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🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh journal of natural history and of the physical sciences.
Edinburgh [etc.]: Published for the proprietor [etc.], 1835-1840.

[Source]
Historical illustration from the "Edinburgh Journal of Natural History and of the Physical Sciences" (1835-1840) depicting seven different species of lemurs and makis. The primates are shown in natural poses on and around a large tree with detailed foliage. Notable features include varied fur colors and markings such as white-handed, reddish, white-fronted, ruffed, grey, and ring-tailed lemurs. The drawing highlights anatomical details like long tails, grasping hands, and expressive faces, set against a subtle landscape background with distant hills and trees. The image serves as a scientific study of primate diversity.
November 23, 2025 at 3:23 AM
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🌳 On the vegetation of the Carboniferous period, as compared with that of the present day / .
c.1850.

[Source]
Historical illustration titled "Stigmaria ficoides" showing detailed scientific drawings of various fossilized plant structures from the Carboniferous period. The image includes cross-sections, cellular patterns, and surface textures of plant roots or stems, presented in different magnifications and perspectives for comparison. Each drawing is numbered and labeled, highlighting internal layering, cellular arrangements, and surface features. The illustration emphasizes the anatomy and morphology of ancient vegetation, comparing it with modern plant structures, reflecting 19th-century geological and botanical research from the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom.
November 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM