The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms; with observations on their habits (1881, fourth thousand)

London : John Murray, 1881. First edition. Fourth thousand. Octavo, publisher’s blind blocked dark green cloth, spine lettered in gilt; previous owner’s name to endpaper, dated 1940, pp. [ii], viii, 326, [2] (adv.); 15 text illustrations, Errata slip, index; uncut; pale foxing to preliminaries, a very nice, clean & fresh copy; very scarce.

Darwin’s last work, in which he reverts to his earlier geological interests while still retaining the theme common throughout his later work: gradual change over long periods can lead to large and surprising consequences. It was very successful, selling faster than Origin of species (1859).

Freeman 1360. Issued in the same year as the first, here with the errata corrected.