An attractive, brightly coloured geological map of the world on Mercator's Projection. Originally part of Johnston's scientific atlas.

Since William Smith's pioneering work at the beginning of the 19th century, geology had become one of the foremost sciences. Maps were a natural method to portray new geological theories and discoveries. The Johnston firm understood the new attraction of the sciences and published their Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena which featured this map. This is generally acknowledged to be the first British atlas of Physical geography. This atlas in turn was inspired by the "Physikalischer Atlas" of Dr. Heinrich Carl Wilhelm Berghaus published in 1836.

As with most geological maps, the map is brightly coloured and very attractive with a key to the various colours on the upper left. A chain of mountains on the lower border shows the highest peaks recorded so far.

The map states that it is based on the work of Ami Boue with additions. Boue was an eminent geologist of German origin who originally trained in Scotland and then travelled through much of Europe. He was a founder member of the French Geological Society but ultimately settled in Vienna.

Original colour. [WLD4790]