Two striking discoveries made 1740 a turning point in the history of 18th-century biology. Charles Bonnet established that aphids could reproduce without male fertilization. Shortly afterwards Abraham Trembley proved that a tiny aquatic animal, the fresh water polyp, or hydra, could regenerate from cuttings like some plants. The discovery of the polyp was important because of the disturbing metaphysical issues that it raised. In their letters written during the decade of the 1740s to Reaumur, the great French Academician, ...
Read More
Two striking discoveries made 1740 a turning point in the history of 18th-century biology. Charles Bonnet established that aphids could reproduce without male fertilization. Shortly afterwards Abraham Trembley proved that a tiny aquatic animal, the fresh water polyp, or hydra, could regenerate from cuttings like some plants. The discovery of the polyp was important because of the disturbing metaphysical issues that it raised. In their letters written during the decade of the 1740s to Reaumur, the great French Academician, both Trembley & Bonnet referred to the polyp as an enigma. Not only did it seem to present a new mode of animal reproduction, previously unsuspected, but it called into question the prevailing mechanistic view of animal biology & brought into focus the problem of animal soul. Drawing on some of the most illuminating letters from the private archives of the Trembley family, this study focuses on the discovery of the polyp, using the correspondence of Bonnet & Trembley to understand their common Genevan background & their possible differences in approach from that of Reaumur.
Read Less
Add this copy of Nature's Enigma: the Problem of the Polyp in the to cart. $35.00, very good condition, Sold by Archer's Used & Rare Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Kent, OH, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by American Philosophical Soc.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Near Fine Condition in Good jacket. Inscribed by Author. Dust Jacket w/ damp stain. front pastedown with very faint damp stain. Dust Jack in mylar guard. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Science & Technology; Biology; Inscribed by Author. ISBN: 0871691744. ISBN/EAN: 9780871691743. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 16309.
Add this copy of Nature's Enigma: the Problem of the Polyp in the to cart. $36.00, like new condition, Sold by Arches Bookhouse rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, OR, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by American Philosophical Society Press.
Add this copy of Nature's Enigma: the Problem of the Polyp in the to cart. $74.72, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by The American Philosophical Soc.
