RUSDEN, Moses (dates unknown). A Further Discovery of Bees.

RUSDEN, Moses (dates unknown).  A Further Discovery of Bees. Treating of the Nature, Government, Generation and Preservation of the Bee. With the Experiments and Improvements arising from the keeping them in transparent Boxes, instead of Straw-hives. Also proper Directions (to all such as keep Bees) as well to prevent their robbing in Straw-hives, as their killing in the Colonies. London: "Printed for the Author ... And by Henry Million," 1679. 8vo (167 x 105mm). Engraved frontispiece, woodcut typographical headpieces, 2 folding engraved plates only (of 3, frontispiece almost detached, some mainly marginal staining mostly to lower fore-corner, lightly browning). Contemporary speckled calf (inner hinges broken with several signatures starting, rubbed and scuffed, stain to rear endpaper). Provenance: J. Gilbert (old signature at head of title). FIRST EDITION. The title page describes the author as "an Apothecary; Bee-Master to the King's most excellent Majesty." The book bears two printed dedications, the first to King Charles II (" ... I make it my prayer that all your Majesties Subjects may be as loyal to your Majesty, as conformable to your laws, and as beneficial to the Publick, as these little People are to their Soveraign ..."), the second to "the Royal Society at Gresham College". Regrettably, this copy is lacking one plate: the plates that are present are all illustrated. British Bee Books 55; Walker Catalogue p.61; Wing R2313.