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CHAPTER XIV. 



THE PREPARATION OF "THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES ' 

 (1858-59). 



Almost immediately after the Linnean Society meet- 

 ing, and evidently earlier than September, the time 

 mentioned in his "Autobiography," Darwin began 

 to prepare a longer and more complete account of 

 his work on evolution and natural selection. This 

 account was at first intended for the Linnean Society, 

 but it was soon found to be too long, and he then 

 decided to publish it as an independent volume. In 

 thus preparing the manuscript for what afterwards 

 became the " Origin of Species," Darwin tells us 

 (" Autobiography ") he acted under '' the strong 

 advice of Lyell and Hooker," and his letters also 

 show the great interest that they were taking in 

 the work. 



Darwin seems to have found the " Origin " — or his 

 "Abstract," as he always calls it — very hard work, 

 and he ends his letter to Wallace (January 25th, 

 1859) with the words : 



"I look at my own career as nearly run out. If I can 

 publish my Abstract and perhaps my greater work on the 

 same subject, I shall look at my course as done." 



At the same time, so great was his enthusiasm and 

 interest, in spite of the hard work and ill-health, that 



