Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle: Darwin's Landmark Collection
Between 1832 and 1836, the H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., traversed the globe, gathering an immense array of biological specimens. The result of this expedition was the publication of The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, a comprehensive scientific work published between February 1838 and October 1843. While edited and superintended by Charles Darwin, the work served as a collaborative effort featuring expert descriptions of the collections Darwin had amassed during his travels.
The publication was originally released unbound in nineteen separate numbers as they were completed. This allowed the scientific community to access the findings incrementally before the work was eventually bound into volumes.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Editor: Charles Darwin.
- Publication Period: February 1838 to October 1843.
- Structure: Divided into 5 distinct parts, originally issued in 19 numbers.
- Scope: Detailed descriptions of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and fossil mammals.
- Binding: Later sold as five volumes or consolidated into three volumes.
The Five Parts of the Zoology Collection
The work was divided by animal class, with Darwin collaborating with the leading zoologists of the era to ensure taxonomic accuracy. Darwin's own contributions were woven throughout, providing essential context on the habits and geographical ranges of the species.
Part 1: Fossil Mammalia (1838–1840)
Authored by Richard Owen, this section focused on extinct mammals. Darwin provided the preface and a geological introduction to set the stage for Owen's analysis.
Part 2: Mammalia (1838–1839)
Authored by George R. Waterhouse, this part covered living mammals. Darwin contributed a geographical introduction and a detailed notice regarding their habits and ranges.
Part 3: Birds (1838–1841)
Authored by the renowned ornithologist John Gould. Darwin provided additional notices on the habits and ranges of the avian species described.
Part 4: Fish (1840–1842)
Authored by Leonard Jenyns. This section included numerous notes by Darwin, many of which were derived directly from the labels he had created during the voyage.
Part 5: Reptiles (1842–1843)
Authored by Thomas Bell, completing the comprehensive zoological record of the expedition.
Publication and Distribution
The publishing house Elder Smith handled the distribution of the work. While initially sold as unbound numbers, the publishers offered binding services for an additional fee. These bound versions typically appeared in two formats: a five-volume set or a more condensed three-volume set. In the three-volume arrangement, Parts 1 and 2 were combined in the first volume, Part 3 occupied the second, and Parts 4 and 5 were combined in the third.
| Part | Subject | Author | Publication Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fossil Mammalia | Richard Owen | 1838–1840 |
| 2 | Mammalia | George R. Waterhouse | 1838–1839 |
| 3 | Birds | John Gould | 1838–1841 |
| 4 | Fish | Leonard Jenyns | 1840–1842 |
| 5 | Reptiles | Thomas Bell | 1842–1843 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who edited The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle?
The work was edited and superintended by Charles Darwin, who coordinated the efforts of various specialist authors to describe the collections he gathered.
How was the work originally published?
It was published unbound in nineteen separate numbers between February 1838 and October 1843, as the sections became ready for print.
What were Charles Darwin's specific contributions to the text?
Beyond editing, Darwin wrote the preface and geological introduction for Fossil Mammalia, the geographical introduction and notes on habits for Mammalia, and provided various notes and habit descriptions for the Birds, Fish, and Reptiles sections.
In what formats could the completed work be purchased?
The completed work could be purchased bound in either five volumes or three volumes, with the latter consolidating several parts into single books.
Which authors contributed to the different animal sections?
The authors included Richard Owen (Fossil Mammalia), George R. Waterhouse (Mammalia), John Gould (Birds), Leonard Jenyns (Fish), and Thomas Bell (Reptiles).