1SG9.] 
AMERICAN AQIIICTTLTTTIIIST. 
313 
ID-AJR'WIjV'S GREAT AVORK- 
THE VARIATION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
UIDER DOMESTICATION. 
By CHARLES DARWIN, M. A., F. R. S., Etc. 
WITH ^V PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION B^V THE ATTTHOR, 
AND ALSO ONE BY 
Professor ASA GRAY, of harvard university; 
It is one of the most remarkable hooks of the day, presenting an array of facts that show the most extraordinary amount of observation and research. All the domestic 
animals, from horses and cattle to canary-birds and honey-bees, are discussed, as well ns our leading culinary and other plants, making it a work of the greatest interest 
Ita importance to agricultur- 
ists, breeders, scientific men, 
and the general reader, will be 
Been by its scope as indicated 
in the following partial enum- 
eration of its contents : Pigs, 
Cattle, Sheep, Goats ; Dons 
and Cats, Houses and Asses ; 
Domestic Rabbits ; Domestic 
Pigeons ; Fowls. Dr( ks,Geese, 
Peacock, Tlrklvs, Guixea 
Fowls, Canary-birds, Gold- 
fish ; HlVE-BEEs ; SlLK-MOTHS. 
Cultivated Plant-; GbbsaXi 
and Cu lin art Plants ; Fruits, 
Ornamental Trees, Flowers, 
Bud Variation. Inheritance, 
Reversion or. Atavism, Cross- 
ing. On the Good Effects 
of Crossing, and on the Evil 
Effects of Close Inter- 
breeding. Selection. Causes 
of Variability, Laws of V 
riation, etc\. etc. 
Skulls of Pigeons viewed laterally % of natural size. A.— Wild 
Pock Pigeon. B.— Short-faced Tumbler, C— English Carrier. 
D.—Bagadotten Carri* r. 
Head of Wild Boar, and Of a pig of the 
Yorkshire Large Breed, named " Golden -/''"/•' 
the latter from a photograph. 
Notices by (ho Pre*N. 
Mr. Darwin is not an ordinary 
writer, and has not been con- 
tent to expand his earlier and 
more general statements. His 
recital of curious facts is en- 
livened and illustrated through- 
out by thought : bis principles 
and arguments everywhere rest 
^ solidly upon observed fact. 
The reader is frequently led 
np in thought, within sight, and 
hearing, as it were, of the very 
workshop of Nature. Glimpses 
given of wonderful pros- 
pects ; passing suggestions of 
thoughts almost too bold for ex- 
pression, or profound analogies 
are embodied in illustrations 
which might be expanded into 
theories. Every chapter is full of 
facts. They arc the substance 
of the whole work. No room 
ia lost by the theories. They 
Eerve as a system for arranging 
the facts, of which the book 
seems to contain more than 
could possibly be compressed 
into the same space, if it con- 
tained nothing else. 
Kew York Evening Post. 
nghl together, and for this alone, 
The book presents the most remarkable collection of facts, methodically arranged concerning- onr domestic animals and plants, ye 
it ia of the highest value. (St. Louis) Journi ' of Agriculture. 
It is a work which will command universal attention, and will be of particular value to agriculturists, whether engaged in stock-raising only, or in the cultivation of the soil 
in general. Fonufs {Philadelphia) Weekly Press. 
"Whether the reader agrees or not with the peculiar views of the author upon the great problems involved, there can be no two opinions of the value of these volumes as a 
storehouse of the results of observations concerning our domestic animals and plants, far more elaborate and complete than can elsewhere bo found. We can testify also that the 
work is a fascinating one for perusal. Congregatkmalist and Recorder^ (Boston). 
The work is alike adapted to the wants of the practical agriculturist and the student of natural history. The immense collection of facts which it presents in illustration of 
the scientific views of the writer are of singular interest and value, irrespective of the peculiar theory of which he is the most able and earnest advocate, and in its present form, 
the original expounder. Mr. Darwin's modesty is no less remarkable than his candor. He is an example of the humility which belongs to genuine science, and is the condition 
of high intellectual attainments. The execution of his work is in harmony with the characteristics of his mind. Written in a style of eminent simplicity, artlessncss, and sin- 
cerity, free from abtruse reasonings or pedantic refinements, it must prove singularly attractive to the lovers of nature no less than to the scientific student. New York Tribune, 
PUBLISHED IN TWO VOLUMES OF NEARLY 1100 PAGES. 
FINELY ILLUSTRATED. 
SENT POST-PAID. ... PRICE, $6.00. 
ORANGE .TtTDD &. <DOTVLT> J^TS^T „ 24?& Broadway, IVew York. 
