Manchu Mirrors and the Knowledge of Plants and Animals in High Qing China

Discover the groundbreaking work of He Bian in Manchu Mirrors and the Knowledge of Plants and Animals in High Qing China, published by Harvard University Press in 2025. This comprehensive study spans 406 pages and is the first of its kind, exploring the systematic codification of Manchu and Chinese terminology related to flora and fauna during the eighteenth century. Bian, alongside co-author Söderblom Saarela, delves into the intricate lexicographical practices of the Qing dynasty, revealing their profound influence on the development of natural historical scholarship in contemporary times. This book is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of language, culture, and science in historical contexts. Expand your understanding of Qing China and its enduring legacy in the study of plants and animals.