Winde – Markus Elieser Bloch, 1782-1795

350

THE IDE

Cyprinus Idus/Der Kühling” (plate 36), copper engraving made by Ludwig Schmidt after the drawing of Krüger jr, for Markus Elieser Bloch’s “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische” published in Berlin between 1782 and 1795. With original hand colouring. Size: 19 x 38 cm.

Bloch’s work on the “Allgemeine Naturgeschichte der Fische” occupied a considerable portion of his life, and is considered to have laid the foundations of the science of ichthyology. The publication was encouraged by a large subscription, and it passed rapidly through five editions in German and in French. Bloch made little or no alteration in the systematic arrangement of Peter Artedi and Carl Linnaeus, although he was disposed to introduce into the classification some modifications depending on the structure of the gills. To the number of genera before established, he found it necessary to add nineteen new ones, and he described 276 species new to science, many of them inhabitants of the remotest parts of the ocean, and by the brilliancy of their colours, or the singularity of their forms, as much objects of popular admiration as of scientific curiosity.

Bloch is considered the most important ichthyologist of the 18th century.

The ide, also known as the orfe or golden ide, is a species of freshwater fish that belongs to the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Europe and Asia and is widely distributed throughout these regions. The ide is a popular sport fish and is also commonly raised for food. It is characterized by its elongated, cylindrical body shape and its bright, golden-yellow coloration. The ide is a relatively small fish, typically reaching lengths of only 30-40 cm, but can grow up to 60 cm in some cases. It is a strong swimmer and feeds on a variety of plant and animal matter, including insects, crustaceans, and small fish. In aquaculture, the ide is prized for its fast growth rate and its ability to adapt to a variety of water conditions, making it a popular species for fish farming.

Price: Euro 350,-