The publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859 ignited a public storm he neither wanted nor enjoyed. Having offered his book as a contribution to science, Darwin discovered to his dismay that it was received as an affront by many scientists and as a sacrilege by clergy and Christian citizens. To answer the criticism that his theory was a theory only, and a wild one at that, he published two volumes in 1868 to demonstrate that evolution was obvious to anyone who cared to look at a bull in a pasture or a dog on ...
The publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859 ignited a public storm he neither wanted nor enjoyed. Having offered his book as a contribution to science, Darwin discovered to his dismay that it was received as an affront by many scientists and as a sacrilege by clergy and Christian citizens. To answer the criticism that his theory was a theory only, and a wild one at that, he published two volumes in 1868 to demonstrate that evolution was obvious to anyone who cared to look at a bull in a pasture or a dog on a hearth. In response to those who insisted that species were distinct since creation, Darwin pointed to breeders of pigs and pigeons. In reply to those who protested that human intervention is one thing and natural selection another, he argued, "If organic beings had not possessed an inherent tendency to vary, man could have done nothing." To counter those who scorned his descriptions of species in exotic places, he submitted local evidence of cabbages and cauliflower. Based on a wide array of sources, from ancient pictographs to Polish roosters, from skins and from skeletons, from scientific journals and breeding manuals, Darwin assembled a mass of proof--and a hypothesis about species reversion that risked his reputation anew. The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication is a two-volume compilation of his thorough and intensive research and the revolutionary conclusions that resulted. The first portion of his work is dedicated to a meticulous analysis of various aspects of plant and animal life, including an inventory of varieties and their physical and behavioral characteristics, investigation of the impact of a species' surrounding environmentand the role that both natural and forced changes in this environment have had. Darwin then turns to a richly detailed discussion of the roles of inheritance and crossing in the development of species. A wealth of illustrations further support and enhance his findings. This fascinating, invaluable, and courageous undertaking eventually formed the foundation for our current understanding of evolution. "In science as in politics the victors tend to write the history books. As a result, the record of the past is edited, intentionally or unintentionally, so that it focuses mainly on the precursors of contemporary orthodoxy. Such a focus may accurately represent the genealogy of modern ideas, but it almost inevitably misrepresents the historical experience of their progenitors... Even the powerful, persuasive, and ultimately triumphant theory of evolution by natural selection required not only defense, but repeated buttressing and revision. Variation showed Darwin hard at work on this rearguard action, using the materials he had at hand... His information was gleaned from the observations of fanciers, breeders, and amateur naturalists, as well as from the treatises of those on the cutting edge of zoology and botany. As hindsight narrows the historical spotlight, it imposes its own sense of hierarchy on the preoccupations of the past. But Darwin was interested in all of these topics, valued all of these sources, and belonged, to a greater or lesser extent, to all of these communities."--from the Introduction.
Good. 1/2 Red leather with marbled board centers, top edge gilding. Bottom third of spine leather gone/delicate; illustrated throughout. Volume 1 of 2vol set. Internally nFINEpages/binding. A nice completer-volume. [B116-227]
Fair. 1896 edition...Covers have different marbelling. Red leather. Spines and edges darkened. pages yellowed. Spine cover of volume II split. Bindings firm. 473, 494 pages. All items shipped within 2 business days and guaranteed. Proceeds benefit the Pima County Public Library, serving the greater Tucson area.
Fair. This listing is for two volumes, and may require additional shipping charges. Volume II has some heavy chipping and loss on the spine, approximately 50% of the spine face is missing, but the spine is overall fairly firm. Boards of both volumes have moderate wear to the edges and bumping to the corners. Text blocks are solidly attached to the spine. Pages are age toned, but otherwise clean and unmarked. Size: 8vo-over 7 3/4 in-9 3/4 in tall. Year: 1896.
Very Good. Complete in two volumes. With illustrations. Second edition, revised (authorized edition). Octavos, bound in burgundy cloth with gilt lettering along the spines, top edges gilt. Fading along the spines, else both volumes are very good. Some unopened pages. Bindings are solid.
Good. No Jacket. 8vo-over 5¾"-7¾" Tall This is a Good Copy of this book in Publisher's green coloured cloth with gilt title lettering to spine, with one previous owner's name to the top edge of the title page. One small plate has been removed from the front pastedown. There is some cracking to the front and rear hinge joins. This is a Single Volume One Only. Second Edition Revised (fourth thousand) Illustrated throughout with b&w diagrams and b&w engravings. Uncommon title 8vo (xiv) 473pp.
Very Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall TWO VOLUME set. Red leather spine and corners, marblized inserts, top page ends gilt. Authorized Edition. Boards have edgewear, spines somewhat faded, however, rear half of spine on Volume One is severely darkened. Previous owner's name on FEP's, pages yellowed, otherwise interior are clean. O-5.
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