Natural History in the Special Collection

Rare books from scientific voyages

(image from: Report on the scientific results of the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76; Zoology, vol. II, London, HMSO, 1881) 

Exploration in the eighteenth and nineteenth century led to many new discoveries in the field of natural history.  From the mapping and discovery of continents such as Australia to the exploration of the hitherto unknown depths of the great oceans, new scientific discoveries were made at a seemingly astonishing frequency.

These discoveries resulted in both an upsurge in popular interest in the natural world and the formulation of many exciting and controversial new theories of natural history by some of the leading scientists of the day.  Darwin and his theories of evolution were becoming more influential, and the Linnaean system of botanical classification was gradually being replaced, largely because of the new discoveries that had been made in Australia and elsewhere.

It was a fortunate coincidence that the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century was a time when the production of illustrated books was at its height.  Thus many of the latest scientific discoveries were published and described in beautifully illustrated colour plate works which are considered to be amongst the finest books ever produced.

The voyage  of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay : with an account of the establishment of the colonies of Port Jackson & Norfolk Island / compiled from authentic papers which have been obtained from the several departments. To which are added, the journals of Lieuts. Shortland, Watts, Ball & Capt. Marshall with an account of their new discoveries
London : Printed for John Stockdale, 1789
- this first edition of the foundation book of Australia has fine, handcoloured plates.

Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the years 1838-1842 / Charles Wilkes
Philadelphia : Lea & Blanchard, 1845
- five volumes and atlas (the scientific volumes are available online at the Smithsonian Institute Library).

Zoologische Forschungsreisen in Australien und dem Malayischen Archipel /
Mit Unterstutzung des Herrn Paul von Ritter, ausgefuhrt in den Jahren 1891-1893 von Richard Semon
Jena : Fischer, 1893-1913

Voyage de découvertes aux terres australes, exécuté par ordre de sa Majesté, l'Empereur et Roi, sur les corvettes le Géographe, le Naturaliste et la Goëlette le Casuarina, pendant les années 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 et 1804; publié par décret impérial, ... /
et rédigé par M. F. Péron ..
Paris : De L'Imprimerie Impériale, 1807-1817

Report on the work of the Horn Scientific Expedition  to Central Australia / edited by Baldwin Spencer
London : Dulau ; Melbourne : Melville, Mullen and Slade, 1896

Voyage à la Nouvelle Guinée : dans lequel on trouve la description des lieux, des observations physiques & morales, & des détails relatifs à l'histoire naturelle dans le regne animal & le regne végétal / par M. Sonnerat  ..
Á Paris : Chez Ruault ..., 1776 (Paris : De l'imprimerie Demonville)

Narrative of the surveying voyage of H.M.S. Fly : commanded by Captain F.P. Blackwood, R.N. in Torres Strait, New Guinea, and other islands of the eastern archipelago during the years 1842-1846 / by J. Beete Jukes
London : T. & W. Boone, 1847

Narrative of the voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, commanded by the late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. &c., during the years 1846-1850 : including discoveries and surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, etc. : to which is added the account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's expedition for the exploration of the Cape York Peninsula / by John MacGillivray
London : T. & W. Boone, 1852

The cruise of the Marchesa to Kamschatka & New Guinea, with notices of Formosa, Liu-Kiu, and various islands of the Malay Archipelago / by F.H.H. Guillemard
London : John Murray, 1886