November 14, 2017

The Origin of the Origin

Janet Browne Harvard University

The lecture this week discussed the Origin of the Origin of Species written in 1859 by Darwin. Darwin looked at the distribution of inhabitants in South America during his Beagle expedition as a young man. Darwin had merged theory and natural history. Darwin’s book presented a valid hypothesis based on the evidence presented. Contrary to many beliefs, Darwin tried to use science to explain the divine, the origin of the earth and all species.

Darwin claims that the Beagle voyage was the most important experience in his life. Although Darwin was on an English ship, he saw and experienced so many things. Darwin had with him Charles Lyell’s Principles of Geology during the Beagle expedition. Lyell suggested that everything was very gradual. Darwin adopted a lot of information from Lyell. We can think of Darwin as a geologist during the Beagle voyage. Darwin saw a volcano eruption in January 1835. He also experienced a very large earthquake in 1835. It was quite fascinating to look at Darwin’s original geological drawings. One of Darwin’s biggest geological accomplishments was coming up with an answer for the shape of coral reefs.

Darwin paid a lot of attention to fossils while on the Beagle voyage. Darwin found fossils and connected them to current residence of South America. Darwin found fossils such as carapace plates of the Glyptodon and was able to compare to with the armadillo that still lived in South America.

Darwin was fascinated with the ingenious people. He was particularly amazed by the differences between the indigenous and Europeans. The possible roots of humanity shocked Darwin; he was excited to see the possible linkage. Although he was a racist of sorts, there was something in him that made him see the brotherhood of man.

Darwin had geology, fossils and indigenous people on his mind when he went to the Galapagos Archipelago where he studied many species and the geology of the island.

Once Darwin got back to Britain he began discovering links between his findings. Darwin began attempting to visualize evolutionary change. Darwin was trying to connect everything together. Darwin began writing Zoology and the Voyage of the Beagle. Darwin started to theorize that species has been taken and modified for different ends.

Darwin spent 8 year on barnacles. The barnacle work helped his theory move towards the final theory in the Origin of Species. Some of Darwin’s barnacle drawings were saved because they had his children’s’ drawings on the back. Darwin also spent a lot of time looking at Pigeons.

Some little corks about Darwin that made him successful included: Darwin used letters as a research tool. He thought a lot in silence. He walked the sand walk. Darwin didn’t end up writing the book he was going to write. Darwin created an origin story of his own. Darwin wanted to use scientific method. He knew that although the conclusions may be hard to believe, he believed his work was of the work of scientists