| Reference number | AP/39/15/1 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Manuscript, 'Observations on the natural affinities and classification of Gasteropoda' by John Denis Macdonald |
| Date | May 1856 |
| Description | Macdonald describes his anatomical investigation of Gastropoda identified in the 'Feejee Islands' [Fiji], with the view of discovering such indications of affinity in the details of structure as might serve as a basis for a natural arrangement of the order. After pointing out objections to the foundation of primary divisions among the Gastropoda on characters derived from the shell or from modifications of the respiratory organs, Macdonald observes in respect of the value of sexual characters, that when the distinguishing features of a class are once satisfactorily determined, and this contains forms in which the sexes are either separate, or combined in the individuals, no other characters can be of greater importance in establishing primary divisions. As a means of further subdivision according to natural affinities, he suggests distinctive characters derivable from the auditory sacs and concretions, and from the oral, lingual and gastric dental organs.
Annotations in pencil throughout. Includes two pages of anatomical drawings of Gastropoda.
Subject: Zoology / Malacology
Received 13 January 1857. Communicated by Captain [Henry Mangles] Denham.
A version of this paper was published in volume 8 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'Observations on the natural affinities and classification of gasteropoda'. |
| Extent | 21p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Ink and graphite pencil on paper |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | DOI: 10.1098/rspl.1856.0101 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA3682 | Macdonald; Sir; John Denis (1826 - 1908) | 1826 - 1908 |
| NA6653 | Denham; Sir; Henry Mangles (1800 - 1887) | 1800 - 1887 |