Subject
Natural history -- Australia Books
Best books
Carl Lumholtz
Among Cannibals: An Account of Four Years' Travels in Australia and of Camp Life With the Aborigines of Queensland
"Among Cannibals: An Account of Four Years' Travels in Australia and of Camp Life with the Aborigines of Queensland" by Carl Lumholtz is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book details the author's extensive travels and experiences among the indigenous tribes of Australia, particularly in Queensland, where he immerses himself in their customs and way of life. It combines adventurous exploration with keen observations of native life, animals, and the landscape of Australia, providing an anthropological perspective. At the start of the narrative, Lumholtz recounts his voyage to Australia, highlighting the initial challenges he faced at sea and his arrival at Port Adelaide. He expresses admiration for Australia’s natural beauty, including its fauna and flora, and describes the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne, noting their respective character and culture. The author introduces his motivations for the journey, aiming to study the indigenous tribes and gather zoological specimens, setting the stage for his explorations and interactions with the Aboriginal communities. He emphasizes both the hospitality of the colonists and the rich, often harsh, landscape that he will navigate in his quest for knowledge.
John Lort Stokes
Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1. With an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative Of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea.
"Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1" by John Lort Stokes is a two-volume work published in 1846. It presents edited journals from the HMS Beagle's six-year surveying expedition along Australia's coasts and rivers from 1837 to 1843. The work chronicles both maritime and inland explorations undertaken by Stokes and his crew, revealing numerous previously unknown places in Australia. Written in an engaging and vivacious style, it stands as the official account of the last major expedition of Australian discovery.
Philip Parker King
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia — Vol. 2 Performed between the years 1818 and 1822
"Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia" by Captain Phillip P. King is a scientific publication written during the early 19th century. This work documents Captain King’s extensive maritime survey of Australia's northern and western coastlines, highlighting the geographical and natural features encountered during his voyages. The narrative provides insights into the challenges faced by the crew, interactions with indigenous peoples, and observations of local fauna and flora. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for the expedition, detailing the preparations for the fourth voyage aboard the newly acquired brig, the Bathurst. Captain King's crew grows in number, with the introduction of new members, including a young girl who secretly joins the voyage. As the expedition commences, the crew navigates the perils of the Australian coastline, facing unforeseen weather challenges, encounters with local wildlife, and interactions with the indigenous population, which hint at both cooperation and conflict. Captain King meticulously documents his experiences, emphasizing the significance of the region's natural history and the importance of hydrological studies.
John Lort Stokes
Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2 Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits To the Islands in the Arafura Sea
"Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2" by John Lort Stokes is a narrative account published in 1846. This volume documents the maritime and inland explorations conducted by Stokes and the crew of HMS Beagle during their surveying expedition across Australia from 1837 to 1843. The work records newly discovered places, publishing their names and locations for the first time. Written in an engaging and vivacious style, it captures both coastal voyages and inland expeditions that shaped Australian geographical knowledge.
Philip Parker King
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia — Vol. 1 Performed between the years 1818 and 1822
"Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia" by Captain Phillip P. King is a historical account written during the early 19th century. The work chronicles King's extensive survey of the largely uncharted and unexplored coasts of Australia between the years 1818 and 1822, detailing the geography, flora, fauna, and interactions with indigenous peoples. The narrative provides insights into the early colonial endeavors and maritime exploration of Australia, aiming to augment existing knowledge for navigational and hydrographic purposes. At the start of the text, King reflects on the importance of his mission and outlines the preparations for the voyage, including the choice of the vessel, the Mermaid, and the crew assembled for the journey. He details the intended route and initial geographical features encountered, including their departure from Port Jackson and a stop at Twofold Bay, where they made contact with indigenous Australians. This opening portion sets the tone for a meticulous scientific expedition, filled with challenges of navigation and the interplay between exploration and indigenous cultures, thereby providing a glimpse into the life and struggles of early 19th-century maritime survey work in Australia.
Howard Willoughby
Australian Pictures, Drawn with Pen and Pencil
"Australian Pictures, Drawn with Pen and Pencil" by Howard Willoughby is a descriptive work that blends travel writing and geographical analysis written in the late 19th century. The book provides an engaging overview of Australia from an insider’s perspective, showcasing its natural beauty, resources, demographics, and rich cultural landscape. The focus on various colonies and their unique attributes makes this work particularly valuable for readers interested in the historical context and personal insights into Australia during this transformative period. The opening of the book sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Australia, emphasizing its vastness and diversity. Willoughby begins with an introduction that outlines Australia’s remarkable area, claiming it to be nearly as large as Europe and overflowing with natural resources. He discusses the changing perceptions of Australia, correcting misconceptions regarding its fertility and livability. Willoughby highlights the push for exploration and settlement, noting that much of the continent remains unexplored and that there are ample opportunities for newcomers. Through this introduction, readers gain a foundational understanding of the Australian landscape, society, and the optimism surrounding its future. Overall, the opening serves to entice readers with a promise of further intriguing insights and discoveries about this vast and dynamic continent.
Amy E. (Amy Eleanor) Mack
The wilderness
"The wilderness by Amy E. Mack" is a lyrical nature essay written in the early 20th century. Set in a suburban Australian patch of reclaimed garden now overrun by native bush, it celebrates urban wildness—its plants, birds, insects, and nocturnal animals—and argues for the quiet riches of leaving small sanctuaries where nature can thrive. The narrator lovingly traces the seasons in this bush-girt haven: fruit trees mingling with wattles, mistletoe, native cherry, and a beloved white cedar that invites birds to feast and sing. By day the place hums with life—cicadas, butterflies, dragonflies, ants, spiders—and a dazzling array of birds, from bright parrots and honeyeaters to butcher-birds, thrushes, cuckoos, and the gentle mistletoe-bird. At night bandicoots rustle, ring-tailed and big possums travel the treetops, and owls and mopokes hunt in silence, while after rain the creek swells and a comic, exuberant chorus of frogs begins. The piece closes as a quiet plea for keeping such patches wild, showing how even a small refuge in a suburb can shelter a rich, intimate world of living things.
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