I 860 .] 
AMERICAN AGIlICTTETTmiST*. 
313 
I>A.K-WII^r 5 S GREAT WORK. 
THE VARIATION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
UNDER DOMESTICATION. 
By CHARLES DARWIN, M. A., F. R. S., Etc. 
WITH A. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION BY THE -A_TL 7 THOT&, 
And also one by 
Professor ASA GRAY, of harvard university. 
It is one of the most remarkable books 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 as our leading culinary and other plants, making it a work of the greatest interest. 
Its importance to agricultur¬ 
ists, breeders, scientific men, 
and the general reader, will be 
' 
seen by its scope as indicated 
in the following partial enum¬ 
eration of its contents : Figs, 
Cattle, Sheep, Goats ; Dogs 
and Cats, Horses and Asses ; 
Domestic Rabbits ; Domestic 
Pigeons ; Fowls,Ducks,Geese, 
Peacock, Turkeys, Guinea 
Fowls, Canary-birds, Gold¬ 
fish ; Hive-bees ; Silic-motus. 
Cultivated Plants; Cereal 
and CulinaryPlants ; 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 Va¬ 
riation, ETC., ETC. 
Skulls of Pigeons viewed laterally, of natural size. A.—Wild 
Hock Pigeon. B.—Short-faced Tumbler. C—English Carrier. 
1).—Bagadotten Carrier. 
Notices by tlie Press. 
Head of Wild Boar, and of a pig of the 
Yorkshire Large Breed, named “ Holden flays," 
the latter from a photograph. 
Mr. Darwin is not an ordinary 
writer, and lias 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: his principles 
and arguments everywhere rest 
solidly upon observed fact. 
The reader is frequently led 
up in thought, within sight and 
hearing, as it were, of the very 
workshop of Nature. Glimpses 
are given of wonderful pros¬ 
pects; passing suggestions of 
thoughts almost too hold for ex¬ 
pression, or profound analogies 
are embodied in illustrations 
which might he expanded into 
theories. Every chapter is full of 
facts. They arc the substance 
of the whole work. No room 
is lost by the theories. They 
serve as a system for arranging 
the facts, of which the hook 
seems to contain more than 
could possibly he compressed 
into tlie same space, if it con¬ 
tained nothing else. 
New York Evening Post. 
The hook presents the most remarkable collection of facts, methodically arranged concerning our domestic animals and plants, yet brought together, and for this alone, 
it is of the highest value. (St. Louis) Journal of Agriculture. 
It is a work which will command universal attention, and will lie of particular value to agriculturists, whether engaged in stock-raising only, or in tlie cultivation of tlie soil 
in general. Foimey's (. Philadelphia) Weeldy 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 \ olumcs as a 
storehouse of the results of observations concerning our domestic animals and plants, far more elaborate and complete than can elsewhere be found. \\ e can testify also that the 
work is a fascinating one for perusal. CongregationaUst 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, artlessness, 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 Yoi k T) ibune. 
PUBLISHED IX TWO VOLUMES OF NEARLY 1100 PAGES. 
FINELY IX-1L1XJ STRATED. 
SENT POST-PAID.. ... PPJCE, $6.00. 
ORANGE .1 I : 1 > 1 > Sc COMPANY, Broadway, New York. 
