SAVILLE-KENT, William.

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The Great Barrier Reef of Australia: its Products and Potentialities. First edition of this richly illustrated study of the world's most famous coral reef. The work is the result of three years' study and contains over 60 plates - these include the first application of photography to corals and 16 vibrant chromolithographic illustrations depicting Australian corals and bright tropical fish. Each plate is accompanied by detailed commentary on the taxonomy and habitat of the organisms.While working as a cataloguer of corals in the natural history department of the British Museum, Saville-Kent dreamed of "seeing those organisms growing in their native seas and in their wonderful living tints" (preface, p. ix). Saville-Kent was appointed Commissioner of Fisheries for Queensland, Australia, in 1889, enabling him to pursue his long-held ambitions. The author hoped the book would encourage popular awareness of the reef and "development of its marvellous resources" (preface, p. ix).

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