Evolution and Wonder: Understanding Charles Darwin

About the Image

This elevation map of a coral reef island is a hand-drawn water-color sketch by Charles Darwin, date unknown.

+ (photo: Cambridge University Library)

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(Reprinted with permission of Syndics of Cambridge University Library, DAR 123:72)

» listen (mp3, 1:20) to David Kohn provide a broader context to this passage and why Darwin wrote it

Image transcription ↑

8th Sept
Yarrell told me he had just heard of Black game and Ptarmigan having crossed in wild state— & the English & Some African dove.—
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The extinction of the S. American quadrupeds is difficulty on any theory— without God is supposed to create & destroy without rule— But what does he in this world without rule? The destruction of the great Mammals over whole world shows there is rule.— S. America & Australia appear to have suffered most with respect to extinction of larger forms.— […]