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Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not
used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad
quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are
images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to
keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the
original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain
imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made
available for future generations to enjoy.
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not
used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad
quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are
images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to
keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the
original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain
imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made
available for future generations to enjoy.
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not
used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad
quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are
images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to
keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the
original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain
imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made
available for future generations to enjoy.
My father's autobiographical recollections, given in the present
chapter, were written for his children, - and written without any
thought that they would ever be published. To many this may seem an
impossibility; but those who knew my father will understand how it
was not only possible, but natural. The autobiography bears the
heading, 'Recollections of the Development of my Mind and
Character, ' and end with the following note: - "Aug. 3, 1876. This
sketch of my life was begun about May 28th at Hopedene (Mr.
Hensleigh Wedgwood's house in Surrey.), and since then I have
written for nearly an hour on most afternoons." It will easily be
understood that, in a narrative of a personal and intimate kind
written for his wife and children, passages should occur which must
here be omitted; and I have not thought it necessary to indicate
where such omissions are made. It has been found necessary to make
a few corrections of obvious verbal slips, but the number of such
alterations has been kept down to the minimum. - F.D.]
Written in collaboration with his son Francis, a notable botanist,
this 1880 book builds on Darwin's earlier investigations into
climbing plants, orchids, insectivorous plants, flower variety, and
the processes of fertilisation. This detailed study of many species
from seed to mature plant further develops Darwin's work on
adaptation and evolution, with the aim of collating the results of
individual studies into common factors applicable to plants in
general. Particular emphasis is given to analysis and investigation
of the process here termed circumnutation, the movement of the stem
of the plant in order to direct the head in certain directions.
This is seen as of paramount importance, with the conclusion that
it is modification of this feature that has enabled plants to adapt
and evolve so diversely. The authors also note similarities between
plants and animals, such as sensitivity to touch and habit of
action at certain times.
The son of Erasmus Darwin and uncle of Charles Darwin, Francis
Darwin lived a mostly quiet life as a doctor in Lichfield, taking
early retirement to a remote part of Derbyshire. As a young man,
however, he took an intrepid and eventful Grand Tour of the
Mediterranean and kept a detailed journal. The quick succession of
places and events and the constant danger due to war, piracy and
plague make this a thrilling read, with murder and adventure on
every page. Highlights of the journey include a mountain climb with
a bottle of laudanum as the only provision, a daring escape over
the rooftops of a Greek village from a group of enraged natives,
and dinner with Lord Byron, though Darwin frustratingly reveals
little about the poet. The journal was edited for publication by
his grandson in 1927, in 'tribute to the remarkable pluck and
indomitable energy of the author'.
The development of Charles Darwin's views on evolution by natural
selection has fascinated biologists since the 1859 publication of
his landmark text On The Origin of Species. His experiences,
observations and reflections during and after his pivotal journey
on the Beagle during 1831-36 were of critical importance. Darwin
was not, however, a man to be rushed. While his autobiography
claims that the framework of his theory was laid down by 1839, its
first outline sketch did not emerge until 1842. That essay was
heavily edited, with many insertions and erasures. It formed the
vital kernel of his more expansive but also unpolished and
unpublished essay of 1844. Following careful editing by his son
Francis, both essays were published in 1909, and are reproduced
here. Reading these side by side, and together with the Origin,
permits us to scrutinise selection and evolution truly in action.
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