Henry Walter Bates' "Illustrated Travels: A Record of Discovery, Geography, and Adventure," published in 1869, is a comprehensive compilation of exploratory and travel accounts from various contributors who journeyed to some of the most remote and less-documented regions of the world during the mid to late 19th century. Bates, a renowned naturalist and explorer himself, curated this collection, which includes vivid descriptions, scientific observations, and personal narratives of adventure and discovery.