THE VARIOUS CONTRIVANCES BY WHICH ORCHIDS ARE FERTILISED BY INSECTS.
by Darwin Charles
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: John Murray, 1899. Second edition, revised, sixth impression. With numerous illustrations. 8vo, original green cloth lettered in gilt on spine and blocked in blind on the covers. xvi, 300, Index + 32 ads. pp. A very fine copy, bright and clean and beautifully preserved. EARLY PRINTING IN VERY FINE CONDITION. One of Darwin's most important but often overlooked works. The LIFE AND LETTERS of Darwin (III, p. 274) quotes Asa Gray as saying that "if the Orchid-book (with a few trifling omissions) had appeared before the 'Origin' the author would have been canonised rather than anathematised by the natural theologians," and noted that a review in the 'Literary Churchman' found only one fault "that Mr. Darwin's expression of admiration at the contrivances in orchids is too indirect a way of saying, 'O Lord, how manifold are Thy works.'"
The book was concerned with working out in detail the relationships between sexual structures of orchids and the insects which fertilize them, their evolution being attributed to natural selection, and therefore was the first of the volumes of "supporting evidence" for his ORIGIN OF SPECIES. Although it was praised highly by botanists, it did not sell well (only about 6000 copies by the turn of the century).
The book was concerned with working out in detail the relationships between sexual structures of orchids and the insects which fertilize them, their evolution being attributed to natural selection, and therefore was the first of the volumes of "supporting evidence" for his ORIGIN OF SPECIES. Although it was praised highly by botanists, it did not sell well (only about 6000 copies by the turn of the century).
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Details
- Bookseller
- Buddenbrooks, Inc. (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 33340
- Title
- THE VARIOUS CONTRIVANCES BY WHICH ORCHIDS ARE FERTILISED BY INSECTS.
- Author
- Darwin Charles
- Book Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- John Murray
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1899
Terms of Sale
Buddenbrooks, Inc.
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About the Seller
Buddenbrooks, Inc.
Biblio member since 2009
Newburyport, Massachusetts
About Buddenbrooks, Inc.
Buddenbrooks has one of the finest collections of landmark, rare books and manuscripts in the world. Our intention is to provide great books or manuscripts in excellent condition. We enjoy sharing our passion and expertise with anyone interested in fine and rare books. And we also look forward to the opportunity to meet you. We maintain premises in the heart of historic Newburyport which are reminiscent of a European style librarie. We encourage you to visit our shop where books are beautifully presented in fine library cabinets in a sophisticated environment. We are also available by appointment only to meet with clients in Boston, where we also have maintained a presence for over 40 years. If you see an item which interests you or if you would like to learn more about our offerings, please contact us via telephone, fax or e-mail.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...