Die Mutationstheorie. Versuche und Beobachtungen ueber die Entstehung von Arten im Pflanzenreich.
de VRIES, HUGO.
Liepzig, 1901. 1Vol.(of 2) in 3 partes. 8vo (24.8 x 17.1 cm). Original printed green wrappers. This is an uncut and partially unopened set. Collation: 1st Band- [1-3], 4-192 pp. +3 chromo- lithographed plates; 2nd Band & 193-384 pp. + 3 chromolithographed plates; 3rd Band & 385-648 + 2 chromolithographed plates. Each Band has line-engraved and half-tone illustrations. The minor wear to the wrappers with some repair to spine of 3rd Band. Internal condition is very good and all 8 plates in excellent condition. "In 1886 De Viries began studying and experimenting with Oenothera lamarckiana, a species of evening primrose, after discovering a number of variants of this species; over the years several new forms appeared, most of which bred true. De Vries called these new forms 'mutations' and formulated a series of these & the Laws of Mutation- in which he postulated that new elementary species arose through a process of discrete steps ('mutations' or 'saltations'), and usually remained constant from their moment of origin. Mutations occurred periodically, each period preceded by a 'premutation' period in which latent characteristics were formed; and mutations forming new elementary species occurred in all directions-some helpful, and others useless or even lethal. De Vries believed that the phenomenon of mutability, as displayed in Oe. Lamarckiana, both satisfied the requirements of Darwin's theory of the evolution of species through natural selection, and explained the development and inheritance of variant characteristics upon which the theory depended. .. the principle of mutation, or sudden change in species, remains a cornerstone of evolution theory." Very Good Original Wraps (Item ID: 000065)
$7,500.00
This first volume published in 1901 is seminal because it presents de Vries' ideas on mutation and discusses his initial findings with Oenothera and other plants. Provenance: Ink inscription on front free end paper: "den Hern E. K G Rose/ Van den Schigver (sic)/ Hugo de Vries" Extremely rare provenance for original issue volume of de Vries classic work. (Norman, p. 797.) (Dibner, Heralds, 36; G &M 240; Horblit 73b).