The Geographical, Natural, and Civil History of Chili

A two-volume history of Chile by a Jesuit priest who lived there, published in English translation in 1809.

Giovanni Ignazio Molina (Author)

9781108049450, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 June 2012

348 pages, 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.44 kg

Juan Ignacio Molina (1740–1829) was a Jesuit priest born in Chile but forced to flee to Europe after his religious order was expelled from the Spanish Empire in 1767. He settled in Bologna, Italy, and began to write a natural history of his homeland, which was first published in Italian in 1782 (he is also known as Giovanni Ignazio Molina). He completed a second volume on the history of the people of Chile in 1786, and a version of the book was in the library of HMS Beagle. This two-volume English translation was published in 1809, and also includes notes from other explorers, including a 1791 account of Chile by Pedro González de Agüeros (1768–93) and a 1774 description of Patagonia by Thomas Falkner (1707–84). Volume 1 covers the natural history of Chile, including the territory's diverse climate, geology, plants, and wildlife.

Translator's preface
Preface
1. Situation, climate, and natural phenomena
2. Waters, earths, stones, bitumens, and metals
3. Herbs, shrubs and trees
4. Worms, insects, reptiles, fishes, birds, and quadrupeds
A methodical table
A supplement to the table
Supplementary notes, illustrative of the history of Chili.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]