Roach (fish) – Markus Elieser Bloch, 1782-1795

THE COMMON ROACH “Cyprinus Rutilus/Das Rothauge/La Rosse/The Roach” (plate 2), copper engraving made by Ludwig Schmidt after the drawing of…

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€350

THE COMMON ROACH

“Cyprinus Rutilus/Das Rothauge/La Rosse/The Roach” (plate 2), 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.

Cyprinus rutilus is a species of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family, more commonly known as the Roach. It is a widespread species, found in Europe, Asia and Africa, and is one of the most important and common freshwater fish in Europe. Roach have a deep, laterally compressed body, typically silvery-grey to greenish in color, with a distinctive red or orange tint to their fins. They feed primarily on plant material and small aquatic insects and have a small, upturned mouth. Today roach are popular with anglers and are also used as a bait fish, as well as being a valuable food fish.

Price: Euro 350,-