Natural Metamorphosis Black & White [63 Images]

Metamorphosis Naturalis is a significant work authored by Johannes Goedaert, a Dutch naturalist and artist, and published in the 17th century. The full title, when translated, means "Natural Metamorphosis, or Historical Description of the Origin, Nature, Properties, and Strange Transformations of Worms, Caterpillars, Maggots, Flies, Little White Worms, Bees, Moths, and Similar Creatures, Not from Any Books but Invented, Described, and Depicted Solely from Personal Experience."

This work is a pioneering and early contribution to the field of entomology, which is the study of insects. In Metamorphosis Naturalis, Goedaert meticulously describes and illustrates the life cycles and transformations of various insects, including butterflies, moths, and bees. His observations and drawings were based on personal experiences and hands-on study, which was a departure from the reliance on existing literature that was common in his time. This groundbreaking approach made Goedaert's work a valuable reference for researchers and naturalists interested in the life histories and metamorphoses of insects during the 17th century. Metamorphosis Naturalis is recognized for its significance in advancing our understanding of insect biology and its role in the history of entomology.