Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, established in 1787 by William Curtis, is the world’s longest-running periodical featuring original color illustrations of plants. Volume 96, published in 1870 under the editorship of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, continues this legacy by presenting detailed botanical illustrations and descriptions of various plant species.

The magazine was initially founded to cater to the burgeoning interest in ornamental exotic plants among British gardeners. Curtis ensured that the illustrations were always derived from living specimens and colored as accurately as possible to reflect their natural appearance. This approach provided both scientific value and practical appeal to botanists, horticulturists, and gardening enthusiasts.

Under Hooker’s editorship, Volume 96 maintained the magazine’s high standards of botanical illustration and description. The illustrations were produced through meticulous observation of live specimens, followed by the creation of copper etchings that were hand-painted with watercolors. This labor-intensive process resulted in vibrant and accurate representations of plant species, many of which have retained their color and detail over the centuries.

The accompanying textual descriptions in Volume 96 included the plant’s name, its classification within the Linnaean system, alternative names, country of origin, flowering time, and cultivation notes. This comprehensive approach ensured that readers not only appreciated the aesthetic qualities of the illustrations but also gained valuable botanical and horticultural knowledge.

Overall, Volume 96 of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine exemplifies the publication’s enduring commitment to combining scientific accuracy with artistic excellence. It serves as a valuable historical record of plant species known and cultivated during the late 19th century, reflecting the period’s botanical discoveries and horticultural practices.