The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs.

£750 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Second edition of one of Darwin's earliest books, originally published as the first part of The Geology of the Voyage of the Beagle in 1842 and here 'extensively revised and largely rewritten in the light of the findings of Dana and of Jukes' (Freeman p. 57). Uncommon in the publisher's cloth. During the course of the voyage of the Beagle, 'Darwin's geological achievements mounted up. Using Charles Lyell's radical new Principles of Geology (1830–33) as a guide, he grew bold in interpreting the earth's crust by causes now in operation. (The first volume was a gift from FitzRoy, the other two reached him during the voyage.) He was captivated by Lyell's grand theoretical scheme - "when seeing a thing never seen by Lyell, one yet saw it partially through his eyes" (Correspondence, 3.55) - and confirmed many of Lyell's observations with careful fieldwork. On other points Darwin expanded innovatively, especially in understanding the piecemeal formation of the Andes and the origin of coral reefs on sinking mountain rims. There was an immediacy to it all... As he trekked through the Portillo and Uspallata passes of the Andes, the coloured rocks seemed almost like a geological diagram, and in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands he waded over the reefs to confirm his theory of the formation of coral atolls. His geology was dynamic, with continents slowly rising and sea basins sinking, and it formed the basis of all his later views. He endorsed Lyell's belief in an earth gradually shaped over c

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.