Dawson, John William; Specimens of Eozoon Canadense and their Geological and other Relations. 1st edition, Peter Redpath Museum, McGill Univ., Montreal, Sept., 1888 . Octavo, pp. 106, frontispiece, 16 text illustrations.

The work is complete and in the original title wraps. Spine edge repaired with archival tissue. Inscribed by Dawson and from the library of Raphael Pumpelly with presentation slip tipped in. The text is very clean. In very good condition.
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In 1858 William Logan was given several specimens of "unusual rocks" which he believed to be organic remains from what are now known to be the Precambrian rocks of the Laurentian limestones. The claim of organic was refuted by the geological community. Dawson saw these specimens in 1864 and declared their organic origins in 1865. He named them "Eozoon Canadense" or "dawn animal of Canada". Dawson remained steadfast in his belief even after it was confirmed by J. W. Gregory in 1894 that those "curious rocks" were layered mineral deposits. He published "The Dawn of Life" in 1875 to argue his case and followed in 1888 with the above work. While incorrect in his identity of remains, Dawson was correct in his belief in a long history of life on earth.