Books

London: John Murray, 1861. 3rd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 3rd Edition. Hardcover. 8vo (198 x 124 mm). xix [1], 538, [2], [32] pp., including half-title; single advert. leaf "Works on Science, Natural History, &c., Published by Mr. Murray", followed by 32 pp. of "Mr. Murray's General List of Works", dated "January 1865" bound at the end; folding lithographed table facing p.123. Original publisher's green blind-stamped cloth (extremities very little rubbed, corners very little bumped), original brown endpapers, Edmonds & Remnants ticket to rear pastedown, inner hinges sound. Text very clean and bright throughout, light occasional dust soiling to fore-margin of few leaves, occasional very minor spotting. Pages untrimmed. Provenance: Stassin et Xavier (small ticket to first flyleaf). A very good+, clean, unmarked and unstained copy in untouched binding. ---- Freeman 381 (binding variant b)- THIRD EDITION OF "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SCIENTIFIC WORK OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.…

"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.