The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, Volume 1, Fossil Mammalia and Mammalia Under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., during the Years 1832 to 1836

About this book

A reprint of a classical work in the Cambridge Library Collection.

Published in five parts between 1839 and 1843, and reissued here in three volumes, The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle showcases the zoological specimens and fossils collected during Charles Darwin's momentous voyage of discovery. Acting as the overall editor, Darwin (1809-82) enlisted a group of naturalists to assist with the task of identifying and describing the species. Each man contributed a particular section according to his expertise. Volume 1 comprises the sections on mammals. In Part 1 (1840), comparative anatomist and palaeontologist Richard Owen (1804-92) describes the fossil specimens. Darwin's introduction gives readers an idea of the geological time period during which the animals lived. George R. Waterhouse (1810-88), who had declined Darwin's invitation to accompany him on the Beagle voyage, identified the extant species for Part 2, which appeared in 1839. Of the sixty-seven plates of illustrations, many are presented here in full colour.

Contents

Preface

Part I. Fossil Mammalia
1. Geological introduction
2. Toxodon platensis
3. Macrauchenia patachonica
4. Glossotherium
5. Mylodon darwinii
6. Scelidotherium leptocephalum
7. Megalonyx jeffersonii
8. Megatherium cuvieri
9. Tesselated armour and bones
10. Mastodon angustidens
11. Equus
12. Ctenomys priscus
13. Leporidae

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