The Formation of Vegetable Mould, through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their Habits.

First Edition, Second Thousand. The first printing was said to be 2000 copies, but copies of the second thousand have this printed on the title page; otherwise there are no textual differences. It is likely the first and second thousand were printed simutaneously but bound up with the different title pages. The fastest selling of Darwin’s publications, this was the result of ten years of research on the interaction of worms with their physical environment and close observation of their behaviour, and was to be Darwin's last publication prior to his death in 1882.

8vo. Original green boards, titles to spine gilt. With 15 text woodcuts. Previous owner’s name and address to front free endpaper, hinges just cracking, slightly rolled.