8vo. 343 pp., [24 adverts], tinted lithographed frontispiece with tissue-guard, title page vignette, 3 b/w in-text vignettes, 3 hand coloured folding geological cross-sections plates at rear, folding b/w engraved map with slight offsetting, unopened copy, original blue cloth, slightly faded, title gilt on spine, margin of title page cut & professionally repaired, slight fraying to fore edges of folding plates, otherwise copy in good condition, John W. Parker, London, 1838.

Synopsis

Ainsworth was a surgeon and geologist . He participated in the Euphrates expedition under General Chesney. When the question of the Christians in Chaldea came to the attention of the British strategists, they promoted a joint venture with the Royal Geographical Society, and Ainsworth was chosen to lead the expedition. He travelled with Rassam, a Chaldean Christian who had also accompanied Chesney. They set out sometime in 1838, after the publication of this work. Ainsworth was engaged with other officers in the reconnaissance of the coast of Syria southwards, and the Gulf of Issues, with portions of Cecilia, northwards of the Orentes.
Results of an early British 19th century geological survey to present day Iraq and Syria.
Bibliographic reference: Atabey 10.