“ONE OF THE CLEAREST AND MOST COMPLETE SUMMARIES”

HUXLEY, Thomas Henry. Principles and Methods of Palaeontology. [London, 1871]. Slim octavo, periodical extract stapled into modern tan paper wrappers; pp. [363]-388. $350.

Extracted periodical reprint of Huxley’s discourse on geological methods—“still one of the clearest and most complete summaries of the subject yet published.”

Known primarily as the protagonist of evolution in the controversies immediately following the publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species late in 1859, zoologist Huxley studied and wrote on a wide range of subjects, including education, philosophy, evolution and religion. First published in 1865 as part of A Catalogue of the Collection of Fossils in the Museum of Practical Geology, Huxley's summary of geological principles was at the time "still one of the clearest and most complete summaries of the subject… The want of such a summary has been frequently expressed."

Near-fine condition, with slight toning to margins.