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

London : John Murray, 1881. First edition. Third thousand. Octavo, publisher’s blind blocked dark green cloth (corners bumped), spine lettered in gilt (lightly bruised at head and foot); previous owner’s name to preliminary blank, dated 1881, 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 1359, issued in the same year as the first.