Quadrupeds - What They Are and Where Found - A Book of Zoology for Boys by Mayne Reid AUDIOBOOK

First published in the nineteenth century, 'Quadrupeds: What They Are and Where Found' by Captain Mayne Reid provides a lucid and engaging introduction to the world of mammals for curious young readers and naturalists alike. Written with the intention of supporting a series of illustrative engravings, this volume is notable for its accessible tone and systematic—if not overly scientific—groupings that guide listeners through the great diversity of the mammalian kingdom.

Reid eschews complex scientific jargon, favoring vivid sketches and a focus on the geographical distribution of animals. He introduces the largest and most compelling families, beginning with the monkeys of the Old and New Worlds. Each group is described according to its distinctive forms and behaviors, such as the mighty orangutans and chimpanzees of tropical Asia and Africa, the acrobatic gibbons of the Indian forests, and the mysterious lemurs of Madagascar—creatures whose traits blur the boundary between fox and ape.

The text is suffused with the intellectual excitement of the Victorian age, when the map of animal life—and the globe itself—was being redrawn by new discoveries and steamships shrinking global distances. Reid’s sketches are not merely zoological accounts; they are observations steeped in history and anecdote, drawing on classical sources and modern encounters alike. Throughout, he ponders the limitations of scientific knowledge and urges the next generation toward greater understanding. For today’s listeners, Reid’s reflections offer both a window into the period’s evolving scientific curiosity and a charming introduction to natural history. The prose is spirited and clear, well suited as an educational stepping-stone, yet enriched with the atmosphere of adventure and the lure of distant lands.

Audiobook time & format : 4h50m54s, OPUS, 227 Mo
Audiobook free extract time & format : 5m (see below to listen), WAV
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