"MARKED A DEFINITE ADVANCE IN THE STUDY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR"

ROMANES, George John. Mental Evolution in Man. Origin of Human Faculty. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, 1888. Octavo, original burgundy cloth. $550.

First edition, with folding frontispiece chart.

"Romanes took as part of the goal of comparative psychology the accurate description of the mental states of animals based on inference from their observed behavior. His own account of these mental states was imbedded in the categories of the British associationist tradition. Like Spencer before him, however, Romanes adapted the associationist scheme to allow for the phylogenetic development of successively higher mental levels, outlining a continuous historical evolution culminating in human intelligence… Romanes' systematic and relatively critical approach marked a definite advance in the study of animal behavior… [His work] led to further developments in the field" (DSB). With publisher's catalogue. Armorial bookplate.

Text generally clean, minor rubbing and soiling to original cloth, mild toning to spine. A handsome copy.