Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S. - On the structure and distribution of coral reefs - 1890

ON THE STRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CORAL REEFS; also Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands and parts of South America by Charles Darwin. It was published in 1890 by Ward, Lock, and Co, London. It features 5 plates, 3 of which are fold-out as well as many in-text line drawings and diagrams. This edition forms part of the Minerva Library of Famous Books. It includes a critical introduction by Prof John W Judd.

Darwin set out his theory of the formation of coral reefs and atolls during the voyage of the Beagle while still in South America, before he had seen a coral island, and wrote it out as HMS Beagle crossed the Pacific Ocean, completing his draft by November 1835. At the time there was great scientific interest in the way that coral reefs formed, and Captain Robert FitzRoy's orders from the Admiralty included the investigation of an atoll as an important scientific aim of the voyage. This work was widely recognised as a major scientific work that presented his deductions from all the available observations on this large subject. In 1853, Darwin was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal for the monograph and for his work on barnacles. Darwin's theory that coral reefs formed as the islands and surrounding areas of crust subsided has been supported by modern investigations, and is no longer disputed, while the cause of the subsidence and uplift of areas of crust has continued to be a subject of discussion.

Half brown textured boards on plain boards of the same colour. Black title lettering within a frame on the front board with gilt lettering and black blocked pattern to the spine. In very good condition inside and out. 549 pages, 18.5 x 12.5 cm.