Bellamy, J. C.; The Natural History of South Devon. Plymouth & London, 1839. Octavo, pp. xxvi, 2, viii, 455. 5 maps, 80 engravings, 9 lithographs.
The work is complete and in the original olive green cloth with gilt spine titles. The binding is lightly soiled, titles lightly faded. Light toning to text, light stain to lower inner text block edge but not within pages. Small book plate of Halsted Place library (country home estate demolished in 1952) on paste down. In very good condition.
Bellamy was an English surgeon and also the curator of the Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society. He is best remembered for his study of the geology, topography and natural history of South Devon. Within this work he provides the first description of Post Tertiary fossil invertebrate and vertebrate remains; including elephant and other species from a limestone “cavity” at Berry Rock on the south-west side of Torbay. The site was commonly referred to as the “Ash Hole”. Over the accumulated fossil remains were also found human remains and cave art. Richard Owen was to reference and describe the site in his 1846 work “History of British Fossil Mammals and Birds”.
