Darwin

Charles DarwinBiblio.com

The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms. With observations on their habits.

1882B6801London: John Murray William Clowes. 1882. Slight browning to early and last leaves. Interior otherwise clean and crisp. Pp. 65/66 bound between 48/49. Edition: First edition Binding: Full original green cloth boards. Blind framing on boards. Spine with gilt lettering decorative gilt fillet and stamp. Brown paste-in and free endpapers. Notes: A near fine example of this last scientific book by Darwin on earthworm behaviour and ecology. <br><br>Charles Robert Darwin 1809 – 1882 was an English naturalist geologist and biologist renown for his contributions to the understanding of evolutionary biology and he has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental concept in science. In a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding. <br><br>The Formation of Vegetable Mould though the Action of Worms sometimes known simply as Worms continued the theme common throughout Darwin’s work which is that gradual changes over long periods of time can lead to large and sometimes surprising consequences. It was the first significant work on soil bioturbation although that term was not used by Darwin it first appeared in the soil and geomorphic literature one hundred years later. The inspiration for Worms likely stemmed from a visit to his uncle’s home where Darwin’s uncle pointed out an area of ground where lime and cinders spread years previously had vanished into the soil forming layers under a top layer of loam. His uncle suggested that this might have been the work of earthworms but apparently thought that this would be of little interest to his nephew who was working on continental scale geological problems. The subject was in fact of interest to Darwin; when he returned to London later that year he prepared a paper on worms forming mould. The paper on the role of earthworms in soil formation was read out by Darwin at the Geological Society of London on 1 November 1837. This was an uncommonly mundane subject for the society and his peers may have hoped to hear of something more grandiose even seeing this paper as highlighting Darwin's growing idiosyncrasies. The leading geologist William Buckland subsequently recommended Darwin's paper for publication. This later led to Darwin’s renewed work on earthworms that led to the publication of the present volume. <br>When asked why he had turned to such an ‘insignificant’ subject such as worms Darwin answered "I have been studying their habits for forty years." In Darwin's view the "insignificant" was the foundation of much greater phenomena.<br> Size: 8vo.188x125 mm Illustration: With many in-text illustrations. <br>First edition seventh thousand corrected. Pages: Blank 2. Title. Printer’s signature. Contents iii-vii. Blank. P. 1 – 328. Advertisement. Printer’s signature. Category: Book Science & Technology; John Murray, William Clowes. hardcover

Alexandre Antique Prints, Maps & Books · Canada575,00 $US≈ 486,51 €

Charles DarwinBiblio.com

The London Quarterly Review 1839 Volume LXIV containing a 1st edition review of Charles Darwin's 'Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by the H.M.S. Beagle' or 'The Voyage of the Beagle'

18397627<p>This is a rare volume of the publication "The London Quarterly Review" containing an early review of the 1st edition publication of CHARLES DARWIN'S "The Voyage of the Beagle." The volume contains four separate issues: June October and December 1839 and March 1840. Each issue has its own Contents page. Curiously the volume opens with the Contents page for the October 1837 issue.no contents from this issue are actually present only the singular Contents page. There is an Index for the June and October1839 issues at the front and a separate Index for the December 1839 and March 1840 issues at the center. Volume LXIV. American edition published by Jemima M. Mason in New York. "The London Quarterly Review" was the American edition of the UK version called the "Quarterly Review."<br /><br />The highlight of this volume is the December 1839 issue which contains a rare early possibly the first lengthy 21-page review of the books "Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by the H.M.S. Beagle" by CHARLES DARWIN and "Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle" by Captain Philip Parker King and Captain Robert Fitzroy. This review of Darwin's book more commonly known as "The Voyage of the Beagle" was published the same year as the true first edition London and precedes the first American edition 1846 by seven years. The reviewer describes Darwin's book as "One of the most interesting narratives of voyaging that it has fallen to our lot to take up and one which must always occupy a distinguished place in the history of scientific navigation."</p> Jemima M. Mason hardcover

CraigsClassics · États-Unis4 500,00 $US≈ 3 807,45 €