Physical Geography

“Humboldt’s Distribution of Plants in Equinoctial America, According to Elevation Above the Level of the Sea.”

This magnificent steel plate engraving vividly illustrates the scientific efforts of the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who spent 5 years researching in New Spain between 1799 and 1804. Throughout his travels, von Humboldt observed dozens of plants and animal species and, for the first time, applied a consistent method of cataloging their appearance, name, and environment.

He even hiked near the peak of Mt. Chimborazo; the feat is duly noted to the left of the summit, along with those of a few other explorers. Elsewhere, the plate locates numerous plant species at various elevations in South America, with heights indicated along either side of the image.

Skillfully engraved by George Aikman and published in Edinburgh by A. & C. Black in 1853.