Description of two new species of fossil shells of the genera Scaphites and Crepidula
Publisher Information: 1828.
Morton, Samuel George (1799-1851). Description of two new species of fossil shells of the genera Scaphites and Crepidula: With some observations on the ferruginous sand, plastic clay, and Upper Marine formations of the United States. Offprint from Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 6 (1829). 16, 61-67pp. Engraved frontispiece by A. Lawson after Morton’s drawings. 235 x 150 mm. (uncut). Original plain wrappers, creased vertically, a few minor tears. Margins a bit frayed, but very good. Presentation Copy, inscribed by Morton on the front wrapper: “Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science. Presented by the Author July 18, 1829.”
First Edition, Offprint Issue. Morton made significant contributions to paleontology at a time when natural history research in the United States was still in its infancy. An active member and officer of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Morton took good advantage of his access to the Academy’s extensive collections, studying fossil specimens delivered to Philadelphia from overseas ports or the American frontier. “Morton cemented his reputation as a paleontologist after describing fossils unearthed in the digging of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Later, he was selected to describe the fossils that Lewis and Clark brought back with them from the American West. Morton’s studies of fossils in Cretaceous sand and marl layers in New Jersey showed their relation to chalk regions of Europe. A century later, such research would be used to document continental drift.” (Penn Museum). Morton had some skill as an artist: His paper on new fossil species of Scaphites (ammonites) and Crepidula (slipper shells) is illustrated with an engraving made from his drawings. “Morton’s Life: Biography.” Penn Museum. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Accessed 1/23/2019.
Price: $500.00