JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES INTO THE NATURAL HISTORY AND GEOLOGY

Of the countries visited during the voyage round the world of H.M.S. "Beagle"

Under the command of Captain Fitz Roy, R.N.

New edition with illustrations by R.T. Pritchett

New edition: 551 pages, frontispiece of the Beagle, title page vignette, 9 black and white plates, numerous black and white illustrations, folding coloured map at the back, foxing throughout and on the page edges – fore edge and bottom edge uncut, top edge gilt, original green cloth over bevelled boards, with gilt vignette and title on the upper cover, titled gilt on the spine, a good copy.

Inspired by accounts of expeditions in South America, Charles Darwin found a place for himself as a naturalist on board the HMS Beagle. The ship was commanded by Robert Fitzroy, a young aristocrat who did not want to sail by himself but planned to do a coastal land survey of Patagonia and also return three "savages" from Tierra del Fuego to their homeland. Darwin brought his books, weapons, and a newly acquired skill set for preservation of animal carcasses.

The journey was long and arduous, but Darwin as a self-financed naturalist was able to leave the ship for long periods of time to attend to his other interests. He was fascinated by the vastness of the ocean and its creatures and observed the geologic features of the coast line.
https://www.charlesdarwin.net/biography.jsp