Voyages to the South Seas: In Search of Terres Australes (edition 2007)

The French Government sent many scientific expeditions to the south pacific ocean in the 18th & 19th century which obtained detailed maps., plant, animal and insect collections, and information on the native societies which inhabited the many islands they visited.
They were constant visitors to the early australian colonies and made many explorative trips around the coastline.
Danielle Clode provides a snapshot of explorers such as Bougainvile, Laperouse, d'Entrecasteaux, Baudin, Freycinet, Dumont d'Urville and how they are all linked.
Her book is very entertaining and scattered throughout with early botanical drawings of plants and animals. ( )