On the action of sea-water on the germination of seeds.

London, The Linnean Society, 1857. 8vo (22.1 x 14.1 cm). 11 pp. [numbered 130-140]. Contemporary ruled half calf over marbled boards. Edges speckled red. = A rarely seen contribution by Charles Darwin to studies of the germination of seeds, and in particular the effect of their being immersed in, or floating on, seawater. That seeds may travel for considerable distances borne by ocean currents was a well-known fact; however, Charles Darwin was the first to make a scientific inquiry into this phenomenon, in particular how immersion in seawater affects the vitality of different seeds. Darwin noted that De Candolle posed this question earlier, but that it remained unanswered. Published in Volume I, No. 3 of the Society's Journal and Proceedings, and followed by a short note on the same subject by James Salter, F.L.S., On the Vitality of Seeds after prolonged Submersion in the Sea (pp. 140-142). We offer the complete volume. Spine perished, front board near detached. Blindstamp of an old British natural history club on the title page, and a stamps of the same above the drophead title of the first paper, and occasionally on other pages. Endpapers a bit foxed. The text part with Darwin's contribution clean, free of stamps, foxing, or any other blemishes. A very good copy. Freeman, 1694.