On the nature of limbs

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Owen, Richard, 1804-1892.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Extremities (Anatomy)--Evolution.

Extremities (Anatomy).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (231 p.)

1 online resource

Edition:

University of Chicago Press ed.

Place of Publication:

London John Van Voorst 1849

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The most prominent naturalist in Britain before Charles Darwin, Richard Owen made empirical discoveries and offered theoretical innovations that were crucial to the proof of evolution. Among his many lasting contributions to science was the first clear definition of the term homology-"the same organ in different animals under every variety of form and function." He also graphically demonstrated that all vertebrate species were built on the same skeletal plan and devised the vertebrate archetype as a representation of the simplest common form of all vertebrates. Just as Darwin's ideas continue to propel the modern study of adaptation, so too will Owen's contributions fuel the new interest in homology, organic form, and evolutionary developmental biology. His theory of the archetype and his views on species origins were first offered to the general public in On the Nature of Limbs, published in 1849. It reemerges here in a facsimile edition with introductory essays by prominent historians, philosophers, and practitioners from the modern evo-devo community.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

"Richard Owen and Animal Form"

"Richard Owen's Quadrophenia: The Pull of Opposing Forces in Victorian Cosmogony"

"The Mystery of Richard Owen's Winged Bull-Slayer"

On the Nature of Limbs

Plates

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786612004988

9781282004986

1282004980

9780226641959

0226641953

OCLC:

471133760