Richard Schomburgk (1811-1891) accompanied his brother Robert Hermann Schomburgk on his mission to survey the boundary of British Guiana (his account is also reissued in this series). Richard was commissioned by the Prussian government to find new flora, fauna and ethnographical specimens for the Berlin Botanic Gardens and the royal museums. The publication in 1847-1848 in Germany of this three-volume account of the expedition was supported by Alexander von Humboldt, who was a close friend. The third volume especially, which concentrated on botany, was considered a major taxonomical work. Schomburgk contracted yellow fever, and found the preservation and transportation of his specimens difficult in the climate, many perishing before they got to Germany. Schomburgk later emigrated to Australia, becoming director of the Botanic Garden, Adelaide.