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Judi Popplewell's avatar

Are you familiar a pair of books called ‘Biological Drawings with notes Volumes 1&2’ by Maud Jepson, published in 1938.

My dad gave me them in my early teens and I’m sure that’s what inspired my love of Biology. I used to faithfully copy the drawings and follow the notes. They are in a very similar vein to the book you talk about.

I’ve still got them, somewhere, but you can find copies on the web with a bit of sleuthing if you are interested.

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Phil Gates's avatar

I don’t think I.ve seen those but will look out for them - thank you. I do have a very useful Handbook of Botanical Diagrams by Blodwen Lloyd, published in 1935 by University of London Press in 1935, which is excellent is might have been intended for a similar readership

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Steph Rae Moran's avatar

What an interesting book! I'm curious, based on the book's title, does it include any folklore or traditions in the plant entries?

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Phil Gates's avatar

Just the key botanical features described in a 250 word entry for each species

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History Explored's avatar

Lovely story well told - 👍

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Phil Gates's avatar

Thank you!

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Whilst Out Walking's avatar

I must be a contemporary of you, maybe a year or two older, and I remember the folding razor kit and the hand lens ... though we also were supposed to take a "vasculum" which nobody had because only the person who wrote the requirements knew what it was. Wasn't needed anyway. That's a fascinating book you share - thanks very much.

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