The Naturalist on the River Amazons; A Record of Adventures, Habits of Animals, Sketches of Brazilian and Indian Life, and Aspects of Nature under the Equator, during Eleven Years of Travel [J. W. Whymper and others Illus.]

London: John Murray, 1863. First Edition, 1st Printing. Very Good. Josiah Wood Whymper and others. In Two Volumes, [7.75x5.25in, 19.5x13cm]; Vol. I- [iii], viii, [1], list of illustrations, 351 pp., five plates of illustrations including frontispiece illustration of Bates in forest, 13 illustrations in text, fold out map at rear [The Amazons from its mouth to the frontier of Peru], Vol. II- [iii], vi, pp. 423, four plates of illustrations including frontispiece, 20 illustrations in text, index; Three-quarter contemporary dark green calf binding on marbled boards, raised spine with gilt lettering on black and red labels, rules and designs, marbled end papers, marbled ink on all edges; Some shelf wear to cover surfaces, edges and corners with chipping along edges, rubbing to marbled papers and leather, all edges rubbed, last leave and end paper in Vol. II loose, but attached, minor age toning to text without any foxing, lacking publisher advertising. [Howgego II B14] DK. Henry Walter Bates (1825-1892) was a noted British naturalist, entomologist, and explorer. His expeditions to the Amazon river established the operation of natural selection in animal mimicry (the evolutionary imitation by a species of other life-forms or inanimate objects to advance and survive). In the mid 1800's, these studies provided support to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

In 1844 Bates met Alfred Russell Wallace, another noted entomologist, to advance the study of insects and contribute to the discussion on the origin of species. In 1847 they decided to approach the British Museum for support to travel to the Amazon river to collect specimens for study and sale. They arrived at Para (now Belem), Brazil in May, 1848. Over the next few years they collected specimens locally until Wallace returned to England in 1852. Bates then continued to explore the entire valley of the Amazon river system to collect and send to England over, 14,700 species with 8,000 new to science. After eleven years in the Amazon, his health deteriorated, and he returned to England in 1859.

He then began work on his collection and writing papers on his entomology, his discoveries and theories supporting evolution of species. Charles Darwin and Bates corresponded over the years, and Darwin suggested writing a book about his experiences in the Amazon.

This book, The Naturalist on the River Amazons, was a significant contribution to Amazon river knowledge. It was well received and became a travel classic with many printings and translations. From the Encyclopedia Britannica article, "It is a curiously structured book, part detailed diary, part general account of the region, and part precise description of particular fauna, but it provides a fascinating record of the natural environment and wildlife of Amazonia ...". Charles Darwin, in a letter to Bates, wrote "The best book of Natural History Travels ever published in England."

Bates was appointed as an assistant secretary to the Royal Geographical Society in 1864 and served until his death. During his tenure, he assisted in support of many expeditions to Africa, South America and the Arctic.

Josiah Wood Whymper (1813-1903) was a British engraver and book illustrator. He was well know in the mid-1800's for illustrating many books on natural history, exploration, and, notably, this book. Other artist also provide illustrations for the book - E.W. Robinson, Joseph Wolf and Johann Baptist Zwecker.