South America

This collection of articles, by various experts, covers the treatment and diseases of wildlife. It provides an in-depth look at the scientific knowledge needed—and challenges—of treating wildlife disease in the countries of the Pacific Basin. This collection is edited by Murray Fowler, considered to be the father of zoological medicine; the depth of his knowledge lends special relevance to this text.

Considered a publication of exceptional value, this thorough study of Costa Rican archaeology investigates graves and burial mounds, pottery vessels, and buildings. The author spent over a year working in the field, both on the Atlantic coast and the interior of the country. The volume is beautifully illustrated with 87 plates and over 400 text illustrations. Formerly a copy held by the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, the volume is inscribed to anthropologist “Professor F.W. Putnam, with compliments of the author.”

This rare second edition of Journal of researches... is the final definitive text of Darwin's "first literary child," revised to reflect his developing ideas on evolution. It chronicles his historic five-year voyage on the Beagle to Brazil, Argentina, Tierra del Fuego, Chile, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries and islands along the way. This journey was the most important event in Darwin's intellectual life.

Author John Mawe, a dealer and expert in gems and minerals, was the first to reveal the full range of Brazil’s mineral wealth, which the Portuguese government kept closed to Europeans. Briefly detained as a spy in Montevideo, he reached Brazil and was given access to the inland mining districts, including Minas Geraes. There he recorded the localities, processes, and tools of the industry, along with a great deal of general information about the land and people of Brazil. His book was a bestseller, ultimately published in many editions and translations.

John Randolph Spears (b. 1850) was a well-traveled journalist at turn of the century, eventually writing nearly a dozen books, primarily on nautical and maritime themes. This early title is about the land, sea, flora, fauna, and cultures of South America’s southernmost region. The “gold diggings” from the title are mostly done on the east coast of Tierra del Fuego, where, after heavy storms, gold shows up on the black sands. The quest for gold often creates conflicts with indigenous communities of the area, which Spears takes great care to describe with sensitivity (for the times).