El Orinoco ilustrado,Historia Natural,Civil y Geografica de este gran rio y de sus caudalosas vertientes.

4to.[40], 580 pgs(i.e. 560), [19], circular jesuit emblem on title,ornamental woodcuts ,1 folding map , 2 engravings.Binding in original XVIII century spanish red moroco with dentelle border  with different composed vegetal tools, spine richly gilt in compartments, green label and chased gilt edges. Gumilla (1686-1750) arrived to South America as a missionary in 1714 and remained most of his life evangelizing the indian tribed along the Orinoco river  and became superior of the jesuits missions in the area.He compiled his book upon his return to Spain in 1738. He describes the wild cacao tree and other species, characteristics and differences of the Indian tribes, and other ethnographical populations: negros,indians, creoles. It is of special interest the descriptions of the customs of the tribes along the Orinoco river:Guamos, Salivas, Mapuyos,Palenques, Guaranies, Otomacs. One of the engravings represents the different trumpest used by the Saliva indians. The other engraving represents a Manati, a mammal animal that lives in the sea and river mouths close to the ocean, the other part of the plate and indian with a war-drum. Indian languages, poisons,resins, herbs, medical roots,fruits and fishes are described extensively.excellent copy with a fine spanish original binding,minor flaws described affecting two pages(corners margin missing).
Ref: Palau 111192, Medina Biblioteca Hispano-Americana  3376,Sabin 29275