Flora of Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Malden, [Mass.]; Boston: Middlesex Institute; C.M. Barrows & Co., Printers, 1888. Octavo (24 x 16cm.), 19, [double-page map], 3-9, 2-201 pages. Index. Half-title of map: "A topographical reference map of Middlesex County. Massachusetts, with key showing the location of villages, hills, ponds, brooks, swamps, etc., compiled from the latest revised maps, by Edward P. Adams". ~ First and only edition. An early botanical survey of Middlesex County Massachusetts. The authors reference earlier works which referenced plants found within the county, but are point out that they have carefully verified the existence of specimens of each. The detailed preface explains, "This catalogue has been a natural outgrowth of the incorporation of the Middlesex Institute in 1881. The results of numerous excursions in the vicinity of Malden encouraged wider research, leading to the exploration of the entire county... Various public and private collections have been examined for rare species; while holidays and vacations have been for six years largely devoted to botanical expeditions which have embraced within their scope every section of Middlesex." Text block age-toned; with the stamp of the Lowell Historical Society to the bottom edge, and to the front pastedown. publisher's brown cloth, with paper title label to spine; label a bit rubbed, some wear to extremities, but near very good.