The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs [antikvár]

FOREWORD Although Charles Darwin is best known as the father of modern biology and the author of The Origin of Species (1859), it was his geological work that first established his high reputation as a scientist. After completing his education at Cambridge, Darwin spent five years (December 27, 1831, to October 2, 1836) in a voyage around the world on H.M.S. Beagle. At the beginning of the voyage he intended to devote most of his efforts to two subjects: geology and marine invertebrates. While exploring South America he studied Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology, which introduced him to new approaches to geology, biogeography, and ecology. As the voyage continued, work on geology and animal distribution occupied an increasing proportion of his time, and the marine invertebrates were de-emphasized—with some exceptions such as corals. While in South America, Darwin found abundant evidence of change, both biological and geological. Among his first major contributions was the discovery of widespread elevation on that continent. He had reason to believe that elevation of the land has something to do with volcanic activity. This research was discussed at length in two books and in some shorter papers, as well as in his Journal of Researches. In an autobiographical essay Darwin remarks: No other work of mine was begun in so deductive a spirit as this, for the whole theory was thought out on the west coast