Books

London: John Murray, 1878, 1877, 1877, 1875.. Four volumes, mixed editions. 8vo. Uniformly bound in contemporary green full calf, spines with raised bands, gilt lettered red spine labels, the other compartments richly gilt, endpapers and all edges marbled , the early book label of a Walter Palmer of "The Acacias, Reading" to the front free endpapers. "Origin..." with a folding plate, illustrations in the text throughout the other works. Foxing to the front and rear of each volume, some rubbing to the extremities, a handsome set of these early issues. "Origin of Species" - sixth edition, 20th thousand, dated 1878 (the second issue of the definitive text published two years earlier); "Various Contrivances..." - second edition, revised (preceded only by the first edition of 1862); "Descent of Man" - second edition, 12th thousand, revised and augmented, 1877; "Insectivorous Plants" - second thousand (preceded only by the first issue published in July the same year). Freeman,…

"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.