Recent Title

                                                                              
1) Rumphius, Georgius Everhardus (with E.M. Beekman). The Ambonese Curiosity Cabinet. 1999. Yale University Press. Hardbound: 567 pages. Price: $70.00 U.S.

SUMMARY: One of the great tropical naturalists of the seventeenth century, G. E. Rumphius-the "Indian Pliny"-spent most of his life stationed on the island of Ambon in eastern Indonesia. His classic text, the first modern work on tropical fauna, is here published in English for the first time. The book describes and illustrates the organisms of the seas surrounding Ambon, as well as minerals and rare concretions taken from animals and plants.
RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in the works of Rumphius, early natural history texts and/or Ambon Island. Also of interest is this forthcoming set: The Ambonese Herbal, Volumes 1-6. See here for details: http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/book.asp?isbn=9780300153767