A monograph of the horny sponges.

London, Trübner and Co., 1889. Large 4to (29.7 x 23.9 cm). 940 pp., 51 fine lithographed or photographic plates (one not numbered; the others numbered 1-50 and with explanatory text leaves). Contemporary half calf over pebbled morocco boards. Spine with five raised, gilt-ornamented bands and gilt title. Marbled endpapers. = Huge, basic monograph of the sponges of the orders Monoceratina and Hexaceratina with numerous new species and genera. The author, the Australian zoologist Robert J. Lendlmayer von Lendenfeld (1858-1913) is both known as an alpinist (author of, for instance, Die Hochgebirge der Erde) and a spongiologist - an unusual combination. Binding solid. Rubbing with some damage to the spine. Armorial bookplate on the front paste-down, pictorial (ornithological) private owner's bookplate on the front free endpaper recto, small stamp on the title page, above the drophead title and on plate versos [not shining through but contaminating the plate explanation rectos (not the text, which is on the versos)], otherwise very good. Nissen ZBI, 2443.