Old map of Gnawing animals distribution 1871 by Alexander Keith Johnston

Zoological Geography. Geographical Distribution of Rodentia and Geographical Distribution of Ruminantia ( Gnawing animals ) by Johnston, Alexander Keith.

Alexander Keith Johnston was a distinguished Scottish geographer and cartographer of the 19th century, known for his innovative thematic maps that combined scientific data with elegant design. As the official geographer to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Johnston produced numerous atlases and maps that reflected the Victorian era’s fascination with exploration and classification. His work emphasized clarity and educational value, often integrating natural sciences into cartographic representations.

Zoological Geography: Geographical Distribution of Rodentia and Ruminantia is a compelling example of Johnston’s thematic mapping, created during the mid-1800s. This map visualizes the global distribution of gnawing animals (Rodentia) and ruminants, offering insights into biogeography before the widespread acceptance of Darwinian evolution. It reflects early efforts to understand how environmental and geographic factors influence species distribution. The map blends scientific taxonomy with cartographic precision, marking a key moment in the fusion of geography and zoology.