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Field notebook 'Vol III, Oct. 23, 1886', 23 Oct. 1886 - 22 Feb. 1887

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8634/A.59

Scope and Contents

The third of seven notebooks kept by William Bateson during his trip to the Aral Sea and the surrounding area. The entries are part field notes and part travel diary.

They include descriptions of the Aral Sea, of shells collected and local fauna, and accounts of his experiences with the Kirghiz people including local foodstuffs (e.g. eating horses and camel meat; pp. [5r-6r]) and customs (e.g. being offered a ‘wife on loan’; page [3r]; attending a parade; page [15r]). Other entries include accounts (pp. [11v], [14r]), ‘notes of a wild boar shot’ (pp. [18v-19r]), and frequent mention of the prevalence of lice and disease.

Entries are in pen and pencil, often in tiny handwriting. Some are written in Cyrillic script and in the Kirghiz language (pp. [16r], [17v] and [19v-20r]). About two thirds of the notebook is unused and there is a gap in the entries between 18 Nov. 1886 and 22 Feb. 1887. A loose note dated Nov. 9 1886 is inserted inside the front cover (now page [i]).

Dates

  • Creation: 23 Oct. 1886 - 22 Feb. 1887

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Extent

1 notebook(s) (1 notebook (20 pp); paper) : paper

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

There is a blank stub between pp. 14 & 15 where a page has been torn from the notebook. After page 20 the rest of the notebook is blank.

General

Former references: MS Add.8634/A.76 and G.9.a.3

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom