A Naturalist in the Transvaal

Member of the Anthropological Institute, The Entomological Society of France, Fellow of the Entomological Society of London, and Corresponding Member of the Entomological Society of Stockholm and the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.

With Coloured Plates and Original Illustrations.

The impressions of a naturalist who, during a twelve months' business sojourn in the Transvaal, employed the whole of his leisure in zoological recreation". The author sailed for the Cape in June 1890, and visited the South African Museum, which was presided over by his friend Roland Trimen, remarking, "It leaves nothing to be desired but greater space and more available funds for the acquistion of fresh specimens." One can form no adequate conception of the South African fauna from the present compulsory crowded contents of this building." On his arrival in the Transvaal he found the country suffering severely from the collapse of the "1889 Boom," and observes, "Johannesburg is now in sackcloth and ashes, the occupation of the company promoter is gone, mining companies close down almost daily, mining script is nearly valueless, and a settled apathy denotes the shareholder."

Source: (Mendelssohn. Volume I. pages 471/2)

Pretoria was described as having a population of British, Dutch, and German inhabitants, but no Boers. Of the latter the writer observes, "The Boer is a farmer,or, more correctly, a dweller on the veld, he loves solitude, and cares nothing for the outside world, he usually passes his time in riding about, or sitting in his house smoking and drinking coffee".

Original brown illustrated boards with falcon on telegraph pole. Blocking in gilt to front board, and gilt lettering to spine. Frontispiece-Makapan's Cave-tissue guard.Title. Dedication. Preface. Contents and list of illustrations xvi plus 277 pages plus 29 illustrations. 8 vo 1892.

Five pages of  plates after text conclusion, four of which are in full colour. Appearance and condition fine for age. Very attractive copy.