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From time to time, you might see a book in the catalogue listed as Stack. These are books which are housed behind the scenes in the Central Library - items that the Library definitely wants to keep, but for some reason (e.g. older condition, or not in as high demand) the open shelf is not the right place for them. Most can be borrowed.
Please ask at the enquiries counter on the Second Floor and staff will be happy to retrieve them.
This webpage will highlight some of these nearly forgotten treasures - note that the author's selections and recommendations of these golden oldies are entirely idiosyncratic!
Sciences
Design in Nature, by J. Bell Pettigrew (3 vol)(1908)
(Call number: 570)
A seminal work focusing on patterns found in nature. Its strength is in its ability to present the breadth of design elements across a whole variety of organic and inorganic subjects. Some of its findings may well be long superseded, but treated in a serendipitous fashion, a highly informative, entertaining and well illustrated read.
Beautiful butterflies of the Tropics, by Arthur Twidle. (1920)
(Call number: 595.78)
This book evokes a by-gone era of gentlemen explorer collectors. Some charming coloured illustrations.
Here is an example from the chapter on New Guinea:
Birds of paradise and bower birds, by Tom Iredale, with coloured illustrations of every species by Lilian Medland. (1950)
(Call number: 598.2)
The coloured illustrations life this book from the informative to the special. This book may not be borrowed, but can be requested and consulted at the Central Library Second Floor Enquiries desk. Here's a particularly beautiful illustration:
Geological features of the Wellington region, by Gary Stephenson (1975)
(Call number: 559.314) A little closer to home, in outlining the main geological phenomena occuring in the Wellington region with examples. The main purpose of this report was to springboard recommendations to protect and preserve these regional features. In many cases this has since occurred. But it remains an informative resource which is suitable for the non-geologist.
Old and new astronomy, by Richard A. Proctor(1892)
(Call number: 523) One of the strengths of this old tome, is its profusion of illustrations and woodcuts. It remains an important work in the history of astronomy.
The Southern Skies: a plain and easy guide to the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere, by Richard A. Proctor(1896)
(Call number: 523.89) Again, despite its age, this contains some good illustrations - 12 maps showing the position of the principal star groups throughout the year.
More recent editions:
For a complete list of all editions of this page, please visit Stack Showcase
Contact Us:
Please don't hesitate to email us if you wish to share your comments and views on these or any other stack book, or view previous editions. Happy delving!
