Spicilegium florae Maroccanae. I-V. [Complete].

London, Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, and Williams and Norgate [for The Linnean Society], 1877-1878. Five parts in four. 8vo (22.0 x 14.1 cm). [ii], 492 pp. [numbered 281-772] 20 lithographed plates [numbered IX-XXVIII]. Original printed wrappers. = Important early and well-illustrated flora of Marocco. These are the complete series of original parts from The Journal of the Linnean Society - Botany, volume 16 (parts 93-96). John Ball (1818-1889) was an Irish politician, naturalist and Alpine traveller. "In 1858 Ball stood for County Limerick, but was defeated, and he then gave up politics and devoted himself to natural history. He was the first president of the Alpine Club (founded 1857), and it is for his work as an alpinist that he is chiefly remembered. His well-known Alpine Guide (London, 1863-1868) was the result of innumerable climbs and journeys and of careful observation recorded in a clear and often entertaining style. Among his accomplishments, he was the first to climb a major Dolomites peak (Monte Pelmo in 1857). He also travelled in Morocco (1871) and South America (1882), and recorded his observations in books which were recognised as having scientific value (Wikipedia). The present work is based on his observations made in Morocco. Index to the whole volume 16 present in the rear of the last issue. Front wrapper of the last issue detached; wrappers a bit frayed and chipped at spine ends, otherwise a very good, clean, complete set. Rare. Stafleu and Cowan, 288.