London, Richard and John E. Tayor [for Cantor?], 1842. 8vo (18.9 x 13.2 cm). Title page, 38 pp. Later blind wrappers.

Offprint of a rare paper, largely written by the Danish physician (employed by the British East India Company), botanist and zoologist, Theodore Edvard Cantor (1809-1860), published in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1(9). Cantor provides some introductory remarks on the topography, weather and climate, history and inhabitants, a review of the plants, and notes on the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. He described a new bat, and several new reptiles, including snakes, and new frogs, and fish. Many new molluscs are included. These, however, were described by the British malacologist, and fellow British East India Company employee, William Henry Benson (1803-1870). All (new) mollusc species are terrestrial, or from fresh to brackish water. Finally, Cantor described several new species of spiders, and provided a list of insects and several minor invertebrate groups. Provenance: inscribed by Cantor in the top margin of the title page, viz., a dedication to the Boston Natural History Society. On the front wrapper a small stamp of the American herpetologist Kraig Adler. Fore edges a bit chipped, otherwise very good. Adler 2, pp. 65-66