Ontleedkundig onderzoek vn den potto van bosman

Amsterdam: C.G. van der Post, 1859. With 3 engraved plates. Original printed wrappers, taped (front becoming detached). Unopened. Ownership inscription dated 1859 on cover. An informative, illustrated study of the potto. The potto, also known as Bosman’s potto (after its discoverer), is an African primate, largest member of the Loris family. According to Van Campen, the small, wooly-furred animal has flexible ankle and wrist joints, opposable thumbs, a vestigial index finger and special blood vessels in their limbs, allowing the potto to be an amazing tree climber. These blood vessels apparently allow the potto to grip trees for a longer period of time.

Van Campen (1831-1859) was a medical student when he suddenly died due to heart and lung defects. This work on the anatomy and physiology of the potto was his thesis, and was published under the supervision of his advisor, Prof. J. van der Hoeven.