[Journal, June 18 to November 26, 1929] / Richard Archbold.

Abstract

Handwritten journal kept by Richard Archbold between June 18 and November 26, 1929 while on expedition in Madagascar. The journal contains entries recording the weather, data about the gathering of specimens, and other daily observations. Archbold was collecting both mammals and birds; he also made observations about local flora. Locations covered during this span of his travels include Vondrozo, Ivohibe, Tananarive, Tulear and Ihosy. The Mission zoologique franco-anglo-américaine à Madagascar was an expedition to Madagascar coordinated with and represented by delegates from French, English and American institutions. Archbold's father had provided the sponsorship for the American Museum of Natural History to participate, and Archbold joined the expedition as photographer and collector. Richard Archbold was a sponsor of scientific study, mountaineer, aviator and research associate at the American Museum of Natural History from 1931. He established Archbold Expeditions (formerly Biological Expeditions) which sponsored field work, a collection and curatorial staff at the American Museum of Natural History. He also founded the Archbold Biological Station in Florida in 1941 as a center for scientific research and ecological study. One of the first to recognize the value of air transport in expeditionary work, Archbold led three of the New Guinea expeditions, the third of which culminated in the seaplane Guba II's historic transcontinental flight.