1889
Second Edition
First published in 1881, this valuable account of Matabeleland and its flora and fauna is attractively illustrated from sketches and watercolour drawings by the author and his brother, William.

Frank Oates (1840-1875), accompanied by William (1841-1896), sailed from Southampton to Natal on 5 March 1873, hoping to see the Zambezi and explore countries to the north to study geography and zoology. The brothers fitted out their expedition in Maritzburg and travelled through Transvaal and Bechuanaland, visiting the Tati district. William returned to England and Frank continued, spending some time "in the Matabele (Ndebele) country north of the Limpopo River. Three attempts to proceed were frustrated by the weather and the opposition of the local people". Finally he arrived on the banks of the Zambezi December and made large collections of natural history specimens. Oates contracted a fever and died shortly thereafter, just 80 miles north of the Tati River. The doctor and naturalist Benjamin Bradshaw attended to him and saw to the safety of his letters and field notes, later edited by his brother, Charles.

Rebound. Prelims foxed.
230mm x 155mm

R20,000