Essays and Observations on Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, and Geology. Vol. I-II

Description:

'... by John Hunter, F.R.S., being posthumous papers on those subjects, arranged and revised, with notes: to which are added, the introductory lectures on the Hunterian collection of fossil remains ... By Richard Owen'. First edition. Publisher's catalogue to rear of Vol. II dated December 1860.

John Hunter (1728-1793) was a distinguished Scottish surgeon, anatomist and naturalist of his day. He amassed a large and important private collection of anatomical and natural history specimens for research purposes and for teaching medical students The two volumes include many of Hunter’s unpublished manuscripts based on transcriptions made by his assistant William Clift (1775-1849). The original manuscripts were later destroyed in a fire. In his role as the Hunterian professor and later conservator of the Hunterian museum, Richard Owen (1804-1892) comparative anatomist and critic of Darwin’s evolutionary theories, edited Hunter’s writings.

Historians of science have particularly noted one section, on page 37, Vol.1 which Owen entitled “On the Origin of Species.”. In a footnote he states “The best attempt to answer this supreme question in zoology has been made by Charles Darwin in his work entitled ‘On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection.’, 1859. The suggestion is that Owen infers by the use of this heading that the species question had first been raised by Hunter and was perhaps an attempt to irritate Darwin. (Friedman Lab website, Early Evolutionists).

The first volume includes essays on observations on: natural history, physiology, and phytology and Owen’s lectures on Hunter’s palaeontology. Volume two includes observations on comparative anatomy of mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, insects and other invertebrates. This work provides profound insights into early scientific thought across multiple disciplines.

Condition

2 vols, 8vo, orig. red bead-grain cloth, a few small ink spots; rebacked preserving orig. spines, lightly scuffed with minor wear. Partly unopened.

An extraordinary association copy with notable scientific provenance: Pasted to the endpapers are printed paper slips with the name of 'Professor Richard Owen, British Museum London'. From the library of Prof. Alexander James Edward Cave, (1900-2001), Professor of Anatomy, St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, 1946-1967, and President of the Linnean Society 1970-1973, with his signature to endpapers. A pencil note in Cave's hand to the endpaper of Vol. II states, 'marginal notes in Owen's handwriting'. The notes are occasional, includes pencil mark against “On the Origin of Species.” Also small printed book-plates of British naturalist, anatomist and anthropologist, Frederic Wood Jones (1879-1954), dated in ink, 1919.