Notes on the Natural History of the Strait of Magellan and West Coast of Patagonia, made during the Voyage of H.M.S. 'Nassau' in the years 1866, 67, 68, & 69 - Robert O. Cunningham 1871 - Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh - First Edition A superior example of the first edition, illustrated with folding colour map and 21 lithograph plates, some in colour.

‘The Scottish naturalist Robert O. Cunningham (1841-1918) began his 1866 voyage to South America in inclement weather, and, by the eleventh day of travel, noted a 'pond' forming in his tiny cabin aboard HMS Nassau. With never-failing humour, Cunningham presents here a record of the zoological, botanical and geological observations made across the three years he spent at sea.

As the ship's naturalist (recommended for the post by Joseph D. Hooker), his time was given wholly to research and exploration, and his findings are both fascinating and thorough. Included are his anecdotal records of seamen's slang, research into the history of the changing landscapes he visited, which had been previously documented by travellers as diverse as Drake and Darwin, statistical data on various species of animals and plants, and numerous original images. An absorbing testament of the breadth of the explorer-naturalist's interests. [C.U.P.]
  Provenance: From the library of British zoologist Leonard Harrison Matthews [1901-1986].

Reference: Cambridge University Press.

Thick octavo (book size 21x15.2cm), pp. xvi [2] 517 [1]. In publisher’s green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, ruled in gilt and blind, panels bordered in blind, brown coated endpapers.
  Condition: Near fine, for a little light foxing to first and last few pages and to some plates, light rubbing of cloth at corners and spine ends, folding map with partial tear along fold.   Ref: 110891   Price: HK$ 7,800