Books

1872 Sixth edition, thirteenth thousand, published by John Murray. The sixth edition contains various additions and corrections, and was the first to use the word evolution (though he first used the term a year earlier in The Descent of Man). The first printing of the sixth edition is the eleventh thousand, printed the same year as this. Green cloth covers with patchy fading or mottling, spine ends rubbed and chipped, corners rubbed, secure binding, endpapers bright and without any inscriptions, the rear endpaper has a small tear and signs of glue to the hinge, presumably a historical repair which is neat and secure. Half title spotted, pages a little age toned, with a few rare spots. Complete with pull out chart. Good condition. 19x13cm, xxi+ 458 pages.

"On the Origin of Species" is a pivotal scientific work by Charles Darwin, published in 1859. In this seminal book, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, reshaping humanity's understanding of the natural world. He presented a comprehensive argument supported by extensive observations and evidence from various fields, discussing the gradual modification of species over time. Darwin's central idea was that all species of organisms evolved from common ancestors and that the mechanism driving this evolution was natural selection. He argued that within populations, organisms exhibit variations, and those better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over successive generations, these advantageous traits accumulate, leading to the divergence of species and the formation of new ones. Darwin drew upon diverse scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, to support his theory. He detailed examples from nature, such as the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands and artificial selection in domesticated animals, to illustrate his points. The book triggered widespread debate, challenging prevailing religious and scientific beliefs about the origin and diversity of life. While controversial at the time, "On the Origin of Species" laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Its profound impact continues to shape scientific inquiry, influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology and sparking ongoing discussions about life's interconnectedness and the processes that drive biological diversity.