The Malay Archipelago

Based largely on four field journals which Wallace kept during the eight years he spent in Malaysia and Indonesia between 1854 and 1862, this work analyzes the geographical distribution of animals there. Wallace's travels were mainly to obtain natural history specimens for his own and other collections. He collected 125,660 in all, mostly beetles, butterflies and birds, in the face of considerable difficulties. This book was originally published in 1869, seven years after Wallace's return from the area, and the new edition has an introduction by Dr John Bastin.