An Essay on the Natural History of Guiana, in South Americas; containing a Description of many Curious Productions in the Animal and Vegetable Systems of that Country, together with an account of the Religion, Manners and Customs of Several Tribes . . .

8vo [21 x 13.5 cm]; [iv], iv, [ii], 402, [iv, ads] pp, frontis of two headed snake. later cloth, gilt title lettering on leather label, signature on margin of title, some light toning to margins, very good in near fine cover. A picture of this book is available upon request by email. The author was friends with Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Priestly and was a fellow of the Royal Society. An American, he was accused of spying for both Britain and United States in the American Revolution. According to Casey Wood, 220: "One of the earliest and most informative accounts of the flora and fauna of the Guianas." Sabin 3106: "A very useful and entertaining work." Field 70: 'The especial subject of the author's inquiries regarding the Indians is the nature and use of the Wourali Poison, with which their weapons are charged'. Cox II, 281. Not only a description of the natural history of the area, but includes a description of the native peoples and geography, rivers and villages. Some copies have the contents pages bound at the end which was arbitrary. Sabin's copy had the contents pages at the beginning as does this copy, which is the preferred position for contents pages.