MALPIGHI, Marcello (1628-1694). Dissertatio epistolica de formatione pulli in ovo. London: John Martyn, 1673.

Untrimmed first edition of Malpighi's work on the chicken and the egg—the foundation of the science of embryology. The impact of Malpighi's incisive intellect across the life sciences is witnessed by the large number of biological features bearing his name. In the present work, "as with his investigations in comparative anatomy, Malpighi was led to embryological research as a means of understanding more highly developed structures. His study of the development of the chicken in the egg went far beyond the work of Harvey and Fabrici, dealing with the internal structures to an unprecedented extent" (Norman). The four exquisite plates illustrate his major discoveries and observations, which paved the way forward for the study of embrology.

Malpighi had been elected a foreign member of the Royal Society in 1669, and thereafter all his major publications were printed in London, often at the Societys expense. This work is sometimes found bound with his 1669 treatise on the silkworm, Dissertatio epistolica de bombyce. Wing M-351 (with De bombyce); Norman 1429; Garrison and Morton 469. See Adelmann, Marcello Malpighi and the evolution of embryology (1966).

Quarto (245 x 170mm). 4 engraved folding plates (title page with a few chips and holes to blank areas, a few repaired; plates slightly trimmed at inner margin and on new guards, occasional small tears). Modern paneled calf to style. Provenance: early inscription crossed-out on title, a few annotations.