Select Specimens of Natural History Collected in Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile. Volume 5.

"Select Specimens of Natural History, Collected in Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile" by James Bruce is a scientific record from the late 1700s listing the many plants and animals discovered during the author's journeys through Egypt, Arabia, Abyssinia, and Nubia. The book shares detailed observations and descriptions of different species, adding to the understanding of natural history, especially focusing on plants and animals linked to ancient societies and their historical importance. The author begins by explaining the plan to clearly organize the natural history specimens they found, wanting to keep plant descriptions separate from travel stories so readers can easily find the information they need. The text examines a variety of plants and animals along with their histories, highlighting the need for correct information and the difficulties in accurately describing species over time, aiming to connect ancient writings with modern findings and setting up later chapters that expand on different species and their roles in their environments.