By Charles Darwin
Third Edition
Published by John Murray: London 1891
Provenance:
Ex Ballarat Ironworkers & Polytechnic
"Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental concept in science. In a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding. Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history and was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey.
Charles Darwin's
The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom
is a landmark study in plant biology that builds on his earlier work on the fertilisation of orchids. Published in 1876, the book presents the results of years of meticulous experiments in which Darwin compared the growth, vigor, and fertility of plants produced through cross-fertilisation with those produced by self-fertilisation. He demonstrates that cross-fertilised plants are generally stronger, taller, and more fertile, while self-fertilised plants tend to show signs of weakness and degeneration over successive generations.
Darwin's findings had profound implications for both evolutionary theory and practical agriculture. By showing that cross-fertilisation promotes variation and vitality, while self-fertilisation often leads to decline, he provided strong evidence for the evolutionary advantages of genetic diversity. The book also offered practical guidance for plant breeding and cultivation, reinforcing Darwin's reputation not only as a theorist but as an experimental scientist whose careful research reshaped the understanding of reproduction and heredity in the natural world."
