A wombat as illustrated in 'An account of the English colony in New South Wales'

The first European sighting of a wombat was in 1802. This book describes the settlers' first encounters with the wombat, and provides an illustration that captures some of its features, alongside a more accurate written description.

The full title of this work is 'An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, rom its first Settlement, in January 1788, to August 1801: with Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, &c. of the Native Inhabitants of that Country. To which are added, some particulars of New Zealand; compiled, by permission, from the Mss. of Lieutenant-Governor King; and an account of a voyage performed by Captain Flinders and Mr Bass; by which the existence of a Strait separating Van Diemen’s Land from the continent of New Holland was ascertained. Abstracted from the Journal of Mr Bass. By Lieutenant-Colonel Collins, of the Royal Marines; several years Judge Advocate and Secretary of the Colony, and now Lieutenant-Governor of Port Phillip. Illustrated by numerous engravings)'