De Gallis - on Galls by Marcello Malpighi

Description:

Facsimile edition together with a translation and interpretation. Malpighi's 'De Gallis', was first published by the Royal Society in 1679. He investigated gall structure and studied galls as they grew, describing and illustrating them so accurately that most of them can be recognised today. His understanding gave the study of galls a scientific basis well ahead of its time, and it with justification that Malpighi is recognised as the father of cecidology. A translation of the original Latin follows the facsimile with an interpretation interleaved on facing pages. Most of the galls are illustrated in colour, allowing direct comparison between Malpighi s drawings and modern images. The importance of De Gallis in the history of natural history is indisputable. It is remarkable that, in the 17th century, Malpighi's understanding of galls and how they developed is close to modern interpretations. De Gallis has not received the recognition it deserves because the Latin text remained inaccessible to most people. This English translation and interpretation of the galls familiar to Malpighi should make De Gallis and its meticulous illustrations available to a wider audience