Molina, Abbe Don J. Ignatius; The Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili. [Chile] Illustrated by a Half-Sheet Map of the Country. With Notes from the Spanish and French versions, and an Appendix, Containing Copious Extracts from the Araucana of Don Alonzo de Ercilla. Translated from the original Italian, by an American gentleman. Middletown, (Conn.): Printed for I. Riley, 1808. Octavo, 2 volumes, 8vo. vol. 1. pp. xiii, 271, errata, , folded frontispiece map. Vol. 2, pp. viii, 305, errata, 2nd title page: An Appendix to the Civil and Political History of Chili, consisting of a Sketch of the Araucana, New York, 1808 pp. iv, 68.

The set is complete and in a contemporary tree calf with gilt spine titles and panels. The binding are tight with light archival restoration at hinge margins. Very light toning or foxing to first and last page margins, map very clean, owners penciled name on titles. In very good condition.
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Molini (1740-1829) was a Jesuit priest and naturalist, born in Talca Chili and died in Bologna, Italy. He was the librarian for the Jesuit order of St. Jago de Chili until the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Spanish Dominion. In Italy he became a professor of natural sciences in Bolgna. His book on the natural history of Chili was first published in 1782 in Italian and translated into English by Richard Alsop in 1808. In the work, Molini describes the rich mining, geography, hydrogeology, geology, mineralogy botany and zoology, the climate and also the early Spanish history, noted explorers, and the customs of the people. Much of volume two is devoted to the Araucanian Indians.