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1954 Larval Form and Other Zoological Verse by Walter Garstang / Basil Blackwell, Oxford / In Very Good Condition

1954 Larval Form and Other Zoological Verse by Walter Garstang / Basil Blackwell, Oxford / In Very Good Condition

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This is a great find! Larval Forms and Other Zoological Verses by Walter Garstang. Published in 1954 by Basil Blackwell, Oxford. In very good condition. Would make a super gift for the biologist.

Walter Garstang FLS FZS (1868 – 1949), a Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford and Professor of Zoology at the University of Leeds, was one of the first to study the functional biology of marine invertebrate larvae. His best known works on marine larvae were his poems published in this volume Larval Forms and Other Zoological Verses, especially The Ballad of the Veliger. They describe the form and function of several marine larvae as well as illustrating some controversies in evolutionary biology of the time.

Garstang was known for his vehement opposition to Ernst Haeckel's Biogenetic Law, now discredited. He is also noted for his hypothesis on chordate evolution, known as Garstang's theory, which suggests an alternative route for chordate evolution from echinoderms.

This collection has the original dust wrapper which reads:
"This little volume must be almost unique: it shows us a scientist who had chosen the unusual medium of comic verse for the expression of some of his more profound and original contributions to biological thought. The verses, although so light in character, were clearly intended by their author for the genuine student who is thoroughly familiar with the technical terms used in Zoology. The beginner in this science, however, if he is prepared to take the trouble and arm himself with a few textbooks for reference, may well find these poems a most entertaining, if somewhat unorthodox, introduction to many important aspects of his subject."

Inside the pages are clean, bright and tightly bound. Has a small inked inscription at the top of the front free endpaper but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. Has a black and white portrait frontispiece, a lengthy biographical introduction, an academic bibliography and an obituary.

Light brown unclipped dust wrapper has also fared well. With a little edge wear to the head and tail of the spine, with a small split to the spine joint at the top. Has a scuffed area on the back where is looks as if some tape has removed the surface in one area in the bottom corner (see photo 2).

Your vintage copy of Larval Forms will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift message in the parcel if desired.

H 19.5 cm x W 13 cm, 85 pages, 0.2 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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