Hapalotus Mitchellii. [Mitchell's Hopping Mouse]
[London]. Hullmandel and Walton, [ 1863]. Stock ID #174367 Plate (no. 9) from the third volume of Gould's, "The mammals of Australia". When referring to this item please quote stockid 174367.
Hand coloured lithograph heightened with gum arabic, 28.6 x 42.8cm (plate size), 32.6 x 43.3cm (with trimmed margins), toning at the plate mark and to the verso of the plate, paper repair affecting the upper left corner of the plate. A good example.
Gould notes "The animal here represented was originally described by Mr Ogilby...from a drawing by Major Sir Thomas L. MItchell of a specimen obtained by him on the banks of the River Murray in South Australia...
The accompanying Plate represents the animal in three positions and of the natural size."
It is sobering to note that Gould records that the range of the species was extensive and hypothesized it probable that "the greater part of the interior would be inhabited by it". Over one hundred and fifty years after he wrote these words habitat destruction has decimated the population of this native creature.
Price: $450.00 AU