Details
HOOKER, Joseph Dalton (1817-1911). On the Flora of Australia, its Origin, Affinities, and Distribution; being an Introductory Essay to the Flora of Tasmania, offprint from: The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Dhips Erebus & Terror, Vol. III (Flora Tasmaniae), part I (June 1859). London: Lovell Reeve, 1859.
4o (310 x 247 mm). (Title-page partly torn along inner margin, some marginal soiling and browning.) Original black pebble-grain cloth (rebacked, a little wear and rubbing). Provenance: The Oxford and Cambridge University Club (bookplate, embossed stamp on title-page and name gilt-lettered at foot of spine).
VERY RARE FIRST SEPARATE EDITION of the first important botanical work written by an advocate of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Hooker was a close friend and confidant of Darwin, and as naturalist on the exploratory voyages of Sir James Ross to Antarctica, New Zealand and Tasmania, he was provided with extensive materials for the systematic study of plant geography. "Soon after the publication of the Origin of Species in 1859 Hooker became a decided advocate of Darwinism, but he reached this position only after his own careful and prolonged assessment of all available scientific evidence. In his introductory essay to the Flora Tasmaniae he cautiously accepts the theory of evolution and natural selection" (DSB). Dibner, Heralds of Science 33; Norman 1103.
4o (310 x 247 mm). (Title-page partly torn along inner margin, some marginal soiling and browning.) Original black pebble-grain cloth (rebacked, a little wear and rubbing). Provenance: The Oxford and Cambridge University Club (bookplate, embossed stamp on title-page and name gilt-lettered at foot of spine).
VERY RARE FIRST SEPARATE EDITION of the first important botanical work written by an advocate of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Hooker was a close friend and confidant of Darwin, and as naturalist on the exploratory voyages of Sir James Ross to Antarctica, New Zealand and Tasmania, he was provided with extensive materials for the systematic study of plant geography. "Soon after the publication of the Origin of Species in 1859 Hooker became a decided advocate of Darwinism, but he reached this position only after his own careful and prolonged assessment of all available scientific evidence. In his introductory essay to the Flora Tasmaniae he cautiously accepts the theory of evolution and natural selection" (DSB). Dibner, Heralds of Science 33; Norman 1103.