Review of Menageries in Britain 1100-2000

摘要

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of "menageries" is "a collection of wild animals in cages or enclosures especially one kept for exhibition as in zoological gardens or a travelling show. Also the place or building where they are kept". Menageries in Britain 1100-2000 is published by The Ray Society which was founded in 1844, and has the aim to honour the name of John Ray (1628-1705), one of the most eminent and influential naturalists of his time. He published works on birds, mammals, fish, insects and plants, and brought order to the then chaotic mass of names which were in use by contemporary naturalists. Importantly, it was Ray's search for a natural order to life that laid the foundation for the studies of the natural world, leading on to Linnaeus and to Darwin's On the Origin of Species. The Ray Society publishes books on natural history with special, although not exclusive, reference to the flora and fauna of the British Isles. Menageries in Britain 1100-2000 is the 175th book to be published by The Ray Society.