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The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 04 (of 10)
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Subjects
In: Science - Biology·Nature/Gardening/Animals
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #72233.
About this book
The Cambridge Natural History, Volume 4, is the final installment of a ten‑part scholarly series that surveys the animal kingdom. Its opening pages are a candid editorial note apologising for the long delay caused by the premature death of Professor W. F. E. Weldon, who had been responsible for the crustacean section. The note explains that only Weldon’s chapter on the Branchiopoda was ready, but his preparatory work on detailed illustrations was incorporated by Geoffrey Smith, who stepped in to complete the volume. The editors also acknowledge the effort of other contributors in updating decades‑old articles, and they mark the publication as the culmination of a project begun in 1880. The contents list reveals an exhaustive taxonomy, covering crustaceans, arachnids, pycnogonids and related groups with systematic breakdowns into orders, sub‑orders, families and tribes.
Written in the formal, didactic prose of early‑20th‑century scientific literature, the volume reflects the meticulous, classification‑driven approach of its era. Its language is dense and richly detailed, aimed at readers accustomed to exhaustive morphological descriptions and extensive tabular arrangements. Scholars of zoology, historians of science, and collectors of classic natural‑history works will appreciate its comprehensive scope and the insight it offers into the scholarly practices of Cambridge’s scientific community at the turn of the century.
Who appears in The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 04 (of 10)
- Professor W. F. E. WeldonElderly British professor, silver‑threaded hair, round spectacles, tweed jacket, dignified beard
- Geoffrey SmithMid‑30s scholar, dark hair, clean‑shaven, high‑collar waistcoat, thoughtful expression
- D'Arcy Wentworth ThompsonLate‑40s academic, wavy brown hair, sideburns, crisp frock coat, scholarly demeanor
The opening · free to read
The Editors feel that they owe an apology and some explanation to the readers of The Cambridge Natural History for the delay which has occurred in the issue of this, the fourth in proper order, but the last to appear of the ten volumes which compose the work. The delay has been due principally to the untimely death of Professor W. F. E. Weldon, who had undertaken to write the Section on the Crustacea. The Chapter on the Branchiopoda is all he actually left ready for publication, but it gives an indication of the thorough way in which he had intended to treat his subject. He had, however, superintended the preparation of a number of beautiful illustrations, which show that he had determined to use, in the main, first-hand knowledge. Many of these figures have been incorporated in the article by Mr. Geoffrey Smith, to whom the Editors wish to express their thanks for taking up, almost at a moment’s notice, the task which had dropped from his teacher’s hand.
A further apology is due to the other contributors to this volume. Their contributions have been in type for many years, and owing to the inevitable delays indicated above they have been called upon to make old articles new, ever an ungrateful labour.
The appearance of this volume completes the work the Editors embarked on some sixteen years ago. It coincides with the cessation of an almost daily intercourse since the time when they “came up” to Cambridge as freshmen in 1880.
S. F. HARMER. A. E. SHIPLEY.
March 1909.
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