C18th flora and fauna

On display in Some notes from nature this week is Zoologia medicinalis Hibernica : or, A treatise of birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, or insects, which are commonly known and propagated in this kingdom : giving an account of their medicinal virtues, and their names in English, Irish, and Latin : to which is added, a short treatise of the diagnostic and orognostic parts of medicine by John K’Eogh (1681?-1754). A work which expounds the medicinal virtues of Ireland’s C18th fauna, some of the entries might be quite surprising.

(Dublin : Printed by S. Powell, for the author, and to be had at James Kelburn', 1739)

John Rutty’s An essay towards a natural history of the county of Dublin, an attempt to document all instances of natural history of the city and county of Dublin, was the product of the Age of Enlightenment and an increasing interest in the natural world.
If you would like to view the spotlight exhibition, or to consult material in this vein, please contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie.
A spotlight exhibition can also be viewed on the digital display wall in the Hardiman Foyer during the month of May.