Natural History

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Important book about the little known Wai-Wai from the border of Gayana and Brazil. Nicholas Guppy was an incredible individual – he died in Bali in his 80’s having gone there to alleviate the effects of hookworm which found their way into his system during these adventures. We strongly recommend reading his obituary in the London Telegraph … too much and too interesting to paraphrase here.

Thick octavo, 374 pages, first edition published by none other than John Murray, London in 1958. Chips to dust jacket as seen in the image but still a very good copy of a must have book.

A useful map near the front provides an overview of the travels first by light aircraft, then foot and canoe over very difficult terrain and waters. Guppy a botanist was sent to secure rare specimens but foremost in his mind was finding the elusive Wai-Wai. The travels were arduous; finding sufficient food along the way was problematic – particularly as the gang of native helpers he used appeared to regard him [his body] as back-up should provisions be depleted! Eventually he meets his Wai-Wai … a most unusual group, completely unaffected by western life. He came to love and admire them – reflected in this book and from what we read his conversation throughout his life.

We wish we could say more and maybe be more precise about this work – it is more than worthy.

Adventurous Guppy meets his Wai-Wai and they get along well.

$50.00

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Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1893 – [Includes catalogue of Tasmanian Minerals - Pettard]

Printed at “The Mercury”, Hobart and issued in June 1894. Usual original presentation, octavo, perfect bound, xxvi pages of “Proceedings” followed by 219 pages of “Papers”. Appropriately illustrated, good condition albeit creases and chip to top corner of front wrapper. Very clean and crisp internally.

W.F. Pettard’s 73-page catalogue of Tasmanian mineral and notes on their distribution commences the Papers. Pettard was a boot and shoe importer in Hobart and then Launceston. Other than that, he was a distinguished naturalist and scientist – he had a home laboratory to envy. He was an accomplished taxidermist and before coming to Tasmania too part in scientific explorations in the Solomons and New Guinea. This was his first mineral catalogue – he was to publish an update just before his death nearly twenty years later.

Other papers of interest include Geology around Lake St Clair; Glacial action in Tasmania; Notes on the Mt Lyell Mine; Rare fish; Fossil Flora etc

Special papers on the minerals, geology and mines of Tasmania.

$80.00

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Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

Another Plomley rarity we don’t expect to see again for a long time.

Published as part of the Records of the Queen Victoria Museum in 1990.

Soft cover, 50 pages, with charts etc all in fine condition.

Baudin spent three days circumnavigation Maria Island in February 1802. Francois Peron was zoologist but also made meteorological, geomorphic, botanical observation – a multi faceted scientist was Peron.

Peron knew his stuff when it came to Maria.

$30.00

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The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

Another special book by Brian Plomley with the help of Josiane Pirad- Bernier. Now very scarce.

Large wide octavo, 378 pages, illustrated. Published by the Launceston Museum in 1993. A solid quality production in near fine condition.

Very well researched and written book on the Bruny d’Entrecasteaux and his visits to Tasmania.

Covers the preparations for the voyage and the officers of the Recherche and Esperance, and among other things their scientific work [Natural History, Geological, Botanical and Zoological].

Also includes as appendices the journals of Louis Ventenat and the botanist Louis Dechamps.

Rare collectable D’Entrecasteaux – more than a channel.

$140.00

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Queensland Fossil Plants – Dicotyledon and Others – Redbank Plains Formation – 45 Million Years

A nice slab of carbonaceous shale showing numerous preserved plants from the middle Eocene era – circa 45 million years ago – a period regraded as the “dawn of modern life”.

Fossils were found in the Redbank Plains area as early as 1900 by settlers. Most of the sites have been built out which makes the having of specimens all that more cherishable.

A good example 19.0cm by 16.0cm, 3.0cm deep, weighing 1,180gms

Earliest examples of Australian modern plants – if that makes sense.

$65.00

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Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

Published by Methuen, Sydney in 1979, an exceptionally clean copy of this respected book about Australian snakes and lizards.

Pocket sized hardback, every snake and lizard accompanied by a good coloured image clear enough to actually identify the species [this clarity issue is a problem with mots other books on the subject].

The book commences with some general information on snakes and lizards but be warned that the treatment for snake bite is no longer the preferred method – keep up to date with that!

Our not so favourite – the red-bellied black snake that we used to see in our garden in Pullenvale west Brisbane

Snakes and Lizards a perfect combo.

$30.00

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Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1893 – [Includes catalogue of Tasmanian Minerals - Pettard]

Francois Peron’s Natural History of Maria Island Tasmania. – Brian Plomley and Others

The General (Bruny d’Entrecasteaux) – The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793 – Brian Plomley and Piard- Bernier.

Queensland Fossil Plants – Dicotyledon and Others – Redbank Plains Formation – 45 Million Years

Snakes and Lizards of Australia – Observer Book Series – David McPhee

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