In the late eighteenth century, the British took greater interest than ever before in observing and recording all aspects of the natural world. Travelers and colonists returning from far-flung lands provided dazzling accounts of such exotic creatures as elephants, baboons, and kangaroos. The engraver Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) harnessed this newfound interest by assembling the most comprehensive illustrated guide to nature of his day.A General History of Quadrupeds, first published in 1790, showcases Bewick's groundbreaking engraving techniques that allowed text and i