[HOW, William (1620-1656).] Phytologia Britannica, natales exhibens Indigenarum stirpium sponte Emergentium. London: Richard Cotes and Octavian Pelleyn, 1650.

First edition of "the book in which for the first time all the known plants of Britain were garnered together with their localities" (Gunther). How here combines the catalogues of his predecessor Thomas Johnson into a single alphabetical list, augmented with additional plants from other sources; it is the first printed record of Irish plants. "How was much interested in botany but, unlike Johnson, he does not appear to have done much plant hunting" (Henrey). Wing H-2956; Henrey 290. See R.T. Gunther, Early British Botanists and their Gardens (1922).

Octavo (145 x 88mm). Interleaved with blank sheets (some spots and stains, worming affecting text in some cases). Contemporary calf ruled in blind (rebacked, license leaf and first blank sprung; front pastedown missing and rear pastedown, a printed sheet from another work, lifted). Provenance: "Richard Abbott" (early signature) – some marginal notes in various hands – A. Robertson, Brantford (bookplate).