Notes on Western Madagascar and the Antinosi Country. by Last, J. T - 1895

London: Royal Geographical Society, 1895. 26 pages. Plus 2 fold-out colour maps measuring approximately 8 x 22.75 inches (20 x 58cm) and 8 x 14 inches (20 x 36cm)Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. Mild scattered foxing, otherwise this is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. This is a fascinating report on journeys and explorations along the west coast of Madagascar, and also on the south-central districts inhabited by the Antinosi immigrants from the country near Fort Dauphin on the south-east coast. The primary object of the expedition was to make collections of Lepidoptera, to collect other objects of natural history, and to obtain general information about the country, people, and places. Having been a Madagascar resident for almost 5 years, Mr. Last shares first-hand information on slave trade, burial places of Kings, royal funerals, villages and geographical features on the many districts. On July 2, 1889, Mr. J. T. Last embarked with a party of six Zanzibar men, on board the French mail steamer 'Amazone' and in 3 days reached the rocky mountain mass of Mayotto, one of the Comoro islands, and shortly thereafter arrived at Nosi-bé. The island of Nosi-bé was formerly in the hands of the Sakalava tribe of Malagasy, who, to avoid falling into the hands of the Hovas, sought the help of the French at Bourbon, and in 1840, placed themselves and their country in their hands. The next year the French took formal possession of Nosi-bé. A fabulous report including TWO FOLD-OUT COLOUR MAPS on the beautiful region of Western Madagascar and on the Ong'ulahi River in a controversial time.. First Edition.