Books

Sixth edition with additions and corrections, 37th Thousand. A later issue of the Sixth edition which was the first edition of this title to include the word "evolution". Darwin had first used the term in 'The Descent of Man' in 1871. The word is used sparingly throughout but does appear twice on page 201 (in the chapter devoted to Mivart) and three times on page 424. The sixth edition of 'Origin of Species' was first published in 1872 and was the last to be revised by Darwin during his lifetime. It is now regarded as the definitive expression of Darwin's theory. Compared to the previous editions, which differed from each other in only minor ways, the sixth edition was was expanded to include a refutation of George Jackson Mivart's 1871 'On the Genesis of Species'. 8vo., original green cloth lettered in gilt on spine. Some browning and spotting to endpapers and occasionally in the text, neat ink initials on title-page. A very good, partially unopened, copy.

"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.