Intracellular Pangenesis.

one of the most important books in the history of genetics

First English language edition of a foundational text in genetics, the book that posited that inherited characteristics are transmitted on particles specific to each trait, called pangenes (later shortened to genes). A particularly nice example of the uncommon dust jacket.

Hugo de Vries (1848-1935) independently rediscovered Mendel's laws of heredity while studying evening primrose plants, and his work played an important role in the birth of genetics alongside that of Carl Correns, William Bateson, and Thomas Hunt Morgan. The theory of intracellular pangenesis laid out in this volume was partly inspired by Darwin's own theory of pangenesis, and it was one of the first steps in explaining why new traits became statistically significant in populations rather than melting back into the genetic mix. The paper on fertilisation and hybridisation was originally titled 'Befruchtung und Bastardierung' and first published in 1903.

First English language edition; 8vo; small tear tear in the upper margin of page 55, unobtrusive light grey marks to page 137, otherwise contents fresh; original red cloth, titles to spine in gilt on black label, top edge gilt, a few small scuffs at the bottom edge of the upper board, tail of spine slightly bumped, cloth fresh, an excellent copy in the jacket with a chip from the top third of the lower panel affecting the publisher's ads, a few others small chips and some creasing at the edges, and light dampstain at the tail of the spine panel; 270pp.

Garrison-Morton, A Medical Bibliography 241.