Books

London: John Murray, 1860. 2nd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2nd Edition. Hardcover. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 8vo (196 x 125 mm). ix [1], 502, 32 pp., including half-title, publisher's advertisements at end dated 'January 1860', and folding lithographed table facing p.117. Original publisher's green blind-stamped cloth, binding variant c (spine ends slightly frayed, corners bumped, extremities little rubbed), original brown endpapers, Edmonds & Remnants ticket to rear pastedown, inner hinges partially cracked and repaired. Half-title with light finger soiling, traces of erased pencil markings and repaired tear at upper margin, dog ear to p. 171, p. 457/8 with short clean tear at blank fore-margin (repaired on verso), little age toning mostly to outer margins, page edges a bit dust soiled, but generally clean and unfoxed. Still very good, clean and unstained copy. ---- Freeman 376 (binding variant c); Norman 594. - SECOND EDITION, second printing OF "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL…

"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.