Reptile distribution old world map. Print of zoology geography 1848 by Alexander Keith Johnston

Zoological Geography. Geographical Division and Distribution of Reptiles (Reptilia) 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 Division and Distribution of Reptiles (Reptilia) is one of Johnston’s detailed thematic maps from the mid-1800s, charting the global habitats of reptilian species. Created before the formal establishment of biogeographic realms, the map reflects a pre-Darwinian attempt to understand patterns of biodiversity. It categorizes and locates various reptile groups across continents, highlighting environmental and climatic influences. The map’s elegant engraving and scientific ambition make it both a visual and intellectual artifact of Victorian-era natural science.