Ambonese Curiosity Cabinet; Author: Rumphius, Georgius Everhardus; Editor: Beekman, E. M.; Hardback; Book

Author: Rumphius, Georgius Everhardus; Editor: Beekman, E. M.
Hardback; Book; 80 Illustrations
680 pages
Published: May 1999
Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300075340

G. E. Rumphius, also known as the Indian Pliny, was one of the great tropical naturalists of the seventeenth century. Born in Germany, he spent most of his life in the employ of the DutchEast India Company, stationed on the island of Ambon in eastern Indonesia. He wrote two major works; this one, the first modern work on tropical fauna, was published posthumously in Dutch in 1705. A classic text of natural history, it is now available in English for the first time.The descriptions in The Ambonese Curiosity Cabinet cover the gamut of organisms found in the seas surrounding Ambon -- crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, mussels -- as well as minerals and rare concretions taken from animals and plants. A series of exquisite etchings accompanies the descriptions. The book has been masterG.E. Rumphius was one of the great tropical naturalists of the 17th century. This work was published posthumously in Dutch in 1705. A classic text of natural history, it covers the gamut of organisms found in the seas surrounding Ambon, including crabs, shrimp, mussels and minerals.