Maidstone's woodpecker – an unexpected bird specimen in the herbarium of Sir Hans Sloane

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Jarvis ◽  
Joanne H. Cooper

It had long been believed that none of the bird, egg or nest specimens that had been in the collection of Sir Hans Sloane at his death in 1753 had survived. However, a specimen of a rhinoceros hornbill, originally in Sloane's hands, was discovered in the Natural History Museum's collections in London in 2003, and three more Sloane hornbill specimens have subsequently come to light. In addition, we report here a most unexpected discovery, that of the head of a woodpecker among the pages of one of Sloane's bound volumes of pressed plants. The context suggests that the head, like its associated plant specimens, was probably collected in south-east Asia about 1698–1699 by Nathanael Maidstone, an East India Company trader, the material reaching Sloane via William Courten after the latter's death in 1702. A detailed description of the head is provided, along with observations on its identity and possible provenance.

Author(s):  
Tamara Wagner

This chapter looks at the representations of the former British Straits Settlements in English fiction from 1819 to 1950, discussing both British literary works that are located in South East Asia and English-language novels from Singapore and Malaysia. Although over the centuries, Europeans of various nationalities had located, intermarried, and established unique cultures throughout the region, writing in the English language at first remained confined to travel accounts, histories, and some largely anecdotal fiction, mostly by civil servants. English East India Company employees wrote about the region, often weaving anecdotal sketches into their historical, geographical, and cultural descriptions. Civil servant Hugh Clifford and Joseph Conrad are the two most prominent writers of fiction set in the British Straits Settlements during the nineteenth century; they also epitomize two opposing camps in representing the region.


2021 ◽  
pp. 247-263
Author(s):  
James F. Hancock

Abstract The chapter summarizes the rise of Dutch and English empires. The Dutch path to world power was aided greatly in 1588, when a huge armada sent by Philip II of Spain to invade Protestant Elizabeth I's England was roundly defeated. This decisive defeat of the Spanish Armada greatly bolstered the confidence of the English and Dutch and encouraged them to forge their own routes to the riches of India and South East Asia. The chapter also discusses the first Dutch expeditions to the East Indies in search of spices and how Jacob Van Heemskerck's invasion started the end of the Portuguese monopoly on trade in the East Indies. The establishment of English and Dutch East India Company is also discussed. Finally, the chapter summarizes how the East India Companies affect the European Trade.


1999 ◽  
Vol 248 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-278
Author(s):  
Brian Gardiner

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 849 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Shear

The millipede genus Metopidiothrix Attems, 1907 (Chordeumatida : Heterochordeumatoidea : Metopidiotrichidae), of south-east Asia, is examined and 30 new species (M. abuyog, M. anderssoni, M. apoensis, M. baletei, M. baybay, M. burckhardti, M. calamei, M. cameronensis, M. danao, M. dolok, M. gallus, M. gressetti, M. hoogsraali, M. kagpili, M. kalang, M. laguna, M. layang, M. lehtineni, M. leyte, M. loebli, M. mada, M. matang, M. mujong, M. nebulosa, M. samuelsonorum, M. santubong, M. schawalleri, M. sedgwicki, M. visca, M. werneri) are added to the genus. The synonymy of M. javana Chamberlin under M. lacertosa Attems is confirmed. Notes are provided on natural history, biogeography and taxonomic characters. The family Metopidiotrichidae is closely related to the Heterochordeumatidae. A key to the genera of Metopidiotrichidae is presented. The family is divided for the first time into three subfamilies: Metopidiotrichinae Attems contains Metopidiothrix and Reginaterreuma Mauriès, 1987; Neocambrisomatinae Mauriès (new status) includes Neocambrisoma Mauriès, 1987, Australeuma Golovatch, 1987, Nesiothrix Shear & Mesibov, 1997 and Nipponothrix Shear & Tanabe, 1994; and Schedotrigoninae Mauriès (new status) includes only Schedotrigona Silvestri, 1903.


The Dingo Debate explores the intriguing and relatively unknown story of Australia’s most controversial animal – the dingo. Throughout its existence, the dingo has been shaped by its interactions with human societies. With this as a central theme, the book traces the story of the dingo from its beginnings as a semi-domesticated wild dog in South-east Asia, to its current status as a wild Australian native animal under threat of extinction. It describes how dingoes made their way to Australia, their subsequent relationship with Indigenous Australians, their successful adaption to the Australian landscape and their constant battle against the agricultural industry. During these events, the dingo has demonstrated an unparalleled intelligence and adaptable nature seen in few species. The book concludes with a discussion of what the future of the dingo in Australia might look like, what we can learn from our past relationship with dingoes and how this can help to allow a peaceful co-existence. The Dingo Debate reveals the real dingo beneath the popular stereotypes, providing an account of the dingo’s behaviour, ecology, impacts and management according to scientific and scholarly evidence rather than hearsay. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in Australian natural history, wild canids, and the relationship between humans and carnivores.


Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Géraldine Veron ◽  
Philippe Gaubert ◽  
Neil Franklin ◽  
Andrew P. Jennings ◽  
Lon I. Grassman Jr

The otter civet Cynogale bennettii is a specialized, semi-aquatic viverrid found throughout the forests of South-east Asia. Although described over 160 years ago, little is known of the species' natural history, and questions remain regarding its taxonomy and distribution. We compiled an exhaustive list of museum specimens and observations to reassess the conservation status, taxonomy and distribution of this species. Data were collected from museums, literature, field surveys, and from other field scientists. Although two species of otter civet have been described, C. bennettii and C. lowei, our morphological examinations do not support specific differentiation. The presence of the otter civet was confirmed for peninsular Thailand, Malaysia and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. However, more northerly distributions were not confirmed, including the supposed origin of C. lowei from northern Vietnam. Based on the scarcity of recent observations or carcasses, otter civet populations are probably in decline. Recent increases in the number of wildlife surveys throughout the putative range of the otter civet have rarely documented the species. The reduction in primary forest habitat has probably reduced otter civet populations and threatens the persistence of this unique species.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  

To determine the immunization status of pediatric patients under age of 5 years visiting pediatric department of tertiary care hospitals in South East Asia. The aim of this study was to appreciate the awareness and implementation of vaccination in pediatric patients who came into pediatric outpatient Department with presenting complain other than routine vaccination. we can also know the count of patients who do not complete their vaccination after birth. we can differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients and incidence of severe disease in both groups. Immunization is a protective process which makes a person resistant to the harmful diseases prevailing in the community, typically by vaccine administration either orally or intravenously. It is proven for controlling and eliminating many threatening diseases from the community. WHO report that licensed vaccines are available for the prevention of many infectious diseases. After the implementation of effective immunization the rate of many infectious diseases have declined in many countries of the world. South-East Asia is far behind in the immunization coverage. An estimated total coverage is 56%-88% for a fully immunized child, which is variable between countries. Also the coverage is highest for BCG and lowest for Polio.


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