58 Translation from Purkinje 



So when von Baer wrote the preface to his Entwickelungsgeschichte^ (1828) 

 he said (p. xix), smiHng: "Wenn ich [bei der Bildung des Vogeleies] . . . wenig 

 Eigenes gebe, so ist hieriiber Niemand anzuklagen als Purkinje, der mir 

 wenig Neues zu sagen und zu finden iibrig gelassen hat." 



Since the inauguration of research on the reproductive system of the hen 

 in American agricultural institutes by Pearl and Surface" in 1908, many of 

 the problems which interested Purkinje have been restudied and extended, 

 as may be seen in the recent review of Conrad and Scott." 



The studies of Cole," Corner,^® Sarton,^ Meyer,-'"^ Adelmann,^^' ^ and others 

 indicate a revival of interest in the history of embryology, which has recently 

 blossomed in three comprehensive surveys: Needham's A History of Embry- 

 ology,^ A. W. Meyer's The Rise of Embryology"^" and Adelmann's Fabricius.^ 

 All three are detailed and learned treatises yet delightfully written, and, unlike 

 the older historical accounts, they are generous and judicial, not marred by 

 personal and nationalistic prejudices. 



Dr. Adelmann has checked my translation in detail and I am indebted to 

 him for many suggestions such as could be made only by a Latin scholar who 

 is also a biologist and deeply read in the history of biology. He has given me 

 the privilege of seeing his work on Fabricius in manuscript. To Drs. G. W. 

 Corner, William Bloom, H. B. Van Dyke, and Mr. Thomas Cowles I am grate- 

 ful for various helpful suggestions. 



