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.

On Being OnDemand:

» Download (mp3, 52:08) ¦ » Listen Now (RealAudio, 52:08)

Read more on the show's main page.

Metaphysical Notebook M, Inside of Front Cover

Clandestine Notebook
The special marking of "private" occurs within only two of Charles Darwin's notebooks: Notebooks M and N, his metaphysical notebooks.
(Reprinted with permission of Syndics of Cambridge University Library, DAR 125)

» listen (mp3, 2:02) to David Kohn provide a broader context to this passage and why Darwin wrote it

Image transcription ↑

Charles Darwin Esq
36 Grt. Marlborough Str.—

(p. 64. On ~~insect~~ Ants getting on Table. Col. Sykes)

Private [offset in rectangle]
Finished. Octob. 2^d.

This Book full of Metaphysics on Morals & Speculations on Expression—
1838

Selected Dec 16 1856