A Monograph on the Fossil Lepadidae, or Pedunculated Cirripedes of Great Britain [and] A Monograph on the Fossil Balanidae and Verrucidae of Great Britain

Description:

First edition. Rare. Includes the rare single leaf index to part 2, which was not issued until 1858, and is often missing. Engraved plates by J. de C. Sowerby (5 plates for part I) and George B. Sowerby (2 plates for part II).

[Published in Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society, Vol. 5, No. 13 (Lepadidae), Vol. 8, No. 30 (Balanidae) and Vol. 12 (Index to Balanidae)].

Freeman, 342.

Darwin's work on barnacles began with a small anomalous species brought back from souther Chile (Arthrobalanus), but resulted in a study of all know species, living and fossil. He spent eight years carrying out the work for this, and the corresponding work on living forms (published by the Ray Society, 1851, 1854). Freeman states that these are Darwin's '... only contributions to formal taxonomy and are still held in high regard.' The Royal Society awarded Darwin its Royal Medal in 1853, partly as a result of his first volume on fossil barnacles.

Condition

4to, two parts rebound in one volume, later green, pebbled cloth. Bound without half-title to part 1, half title to part 2 present. A little foxing to plates; some pages slightly browned. A second copy of Plate 2 to Balanidae and its corresponding caption leaf are looseley inserted. Vg.