In 1831, Darwin graduated from the university, and in the same year, on the recommendation of Professor Henslow, he was accepted as a naturalist on the ship "Beagle" ("Snoop"), which set off on a trip around the world.
Darwin sailed aboard the Beagle from Devonport on December 27, 1831. The main task of the expedition was to survey the eastern and western coasts of South America and adjacent islands in order to draw up detailed sea charts. In addition, the Beagle expedition was given a second task, which was to conduct a series of chronometric measurements around the Earth, with which the round-the-world trip was connected.

Over the course of five years of travel, Charles Darwin's worldview changes dramatically, and he comes to the conclusion that "the old testament cannot be trusted more than the sacred books of the Hindus." The old ideas about the immutability of the organic world are gradually collapsing, and under the pressure of accumulating observations, new views are being formed.

August 24, 1834 "Beagle" arrived in Bahia Blanca, from where a week later went to La Plata. With the consent of the ship's captain, Fitz Roy, Darwin traveled by land from Bahia Blanca to Buenos Aires. The plain along which the route passed belonged to a typical pampas formation, consisting of red clay and partly of marl. This trip made it possible to collect the richest collection of fossils. Of particular interest was the find in Punta Alta, where in an area of ​​about 200 sq. m were dug out the remains of nine giant mammals (Megeteria, Macrauchenia, Toxodon, etc.). The discovery showed how diverse the inhabitants of this country were. In the future, a tour of the pampas of Patagonia made it possible to further enrich Darwin's paleontological collection, the study of which led the scientist to the idea of ​​​​the existence of a close relationship between the extinct species of South American edentulous and modern views sloths, anteaters and armadillos living in South America. For the first time, a significant entry appears in the diary of a naturalist: “I have no doubt that the amazing affinity between extinct and modern animals of the same continent will someday shed more light on the question of the appearance and disappearance of organisms on the earth than any other another set of facts. For the first time, doubts arise about Cuvier's theory of catastrophes, since the geological studies of La Plata and Patagonia suggest that the entire landscape with all its features is the result of slow and gradual changes, and by no means sudden, catastrophic ones.

This idea in the process of further work finds more and more confirmations. During an excursion along the slopes of the Cordillera, Darwin discovered in the central part of the ridge, at an altitude of over 2000 m, about fifty petrified tree trunks from the Araucariaceae family. They stood at some distance from each other, but as a whole they formed one group. Using the petrified trunks, Darwin reconstructs the course of events that took place here. Once upon a time, a group of beautiful trees stretched their branches over the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, this was when it reached the foot of the Andes. These trees grew on volcanic soil that rose above sea level and then plunged again, along with the trees, into the depths of the ocean. There, this previously dry soil was covered with sedimentary layers, on which flows of underwater lava in turn poured. Layers of molten stone and water sediments alternated five times. Then began new process uplift of the ridge, which brought the petrified group to a height of over 2000 m above sea level.

It is obvious that such studies carried out by Darwin in South America led him to the need to apply the historical method in order to study nature.

September 5, 1835 "Beagle" sailed from the western coast of South America, heading for the Galapagos archipelago. This archipelago, consisting of ten main islands and several smaller ones, is located near the equator. All islands are formed by volcanic rocks. Darwin studied the flora and fauna of these islands in great detail and came to the conclusion that they are extremely peculiar. Most plant and animal species are endemic to these islands. All of them show a clear relationship with the inhabitants of South America, despite the fact that the islands are separated from the mainland by a strip of ocean about 900 km wide. Endemism extends not only to the entire archipelago as a whole, but also to individual islands, but also to individual islands that have their own, nowhere else found endemics. So, for example, 38 Galapogos plant species living on James Island, 30 are found only on this island. The picture is the same on Albemarle, where out of 26 Galapogos plants 22 are endemic to this island. Some islands have their own species of turtles, mockingbirds and finches.

The explanation for such an interesting phenomenon, when there is no exchange of fauna and flora between individual islands, Darwin found in the nature of sea currents. Strong currents directed to the west and northwest separate the northern islands from the southern ones, preventing the exchange of organic forms. At the same time, a strong northwest current passes between the northern islands, which separates the islands of James and Albemarle. Since there are no strong winds at all in this archipelago, neither birds, nor insects, nor light seeds can be transferred from one island to another.

From the Galapogos Islands, the Beagle headed for the shores of Australia, which it rounded from the south. Finally, on April 1, 1836, the Keeling or Cocos Islands, lying in the Indian Ocean at a distance of 600 miles from Sumatra, appeared on the horizon. This group of islands is of particular interest to Darwin, as they are all composed entirely of coral and in times gone by were underwater reefs. Darwin studied the life of these islands, as a result of which he later created the first theory of the origin and development of coral islands, linking together all forms of reefs as successive stages of development. Based on the fact that the coastal and barrier reefs are very similar formations, Darwin came to the conclusion that when the bottom sinks, the coastal reef takes the form of a barrier. The formation of atolls can be explained as follows. If an oceanic island, around which there is a barrier or coastal reef, experiences subsidence, then it begins to sink under water. However, the creative work of corals continues, due to which a coral ring grows along the periphery of the island, inside which there is a large rounded lagoon. As a result, the atoll presents an amazing sight: from the outside, a cruel surf rages along the reef and the waves wash the ring of coral shore, inside of which there is a quiet lake with small islands.

Darwin is struck by the curious fact that "all the products of the local soil" are brought here by the waves of the ocean. Processing the material collected on the Cocos Islands, he comes to the conclusion that a huge number of different seeds from all over the world are carried by ocean waves. Almost all plants that were brought from the Cocos Islands were common coastal species of the islands of the Malay Archipelago. However, judging by the direction of the winds and currents, it cannot be assumed that they fell here directly from the Malay Archipelago. It is more likely that they were first washed up on the shores of Australia, and from there, together with the natives of the latter, they came here with the corresponding current. Consequently, the seeds or fruits of the plants that now inhabit the Keeling Islands must have traveled from 2,400 to 3,000 km.

Thus, the solution to the peculiarities of the fauna and flora of the oceanic islands came through the study modern features life of corals and ways of distribution of seeds and fruits of tropical plants. The conclusion that organic nature is in a state of constant change, and one of the powerful factors causing these changes are the organisms themselves, leads Darwin and observations on the island of St. Helena. This island, lying at a distance from the mainland, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is characterized by a rather specific fauna and flora.

On October 2, 1836, the Beagle reached the shores of England, and at Falmouth Darwin left the ship on which he had lived for almost five years.

Returning to England, Darwin decided that by following the example of Lyell in geology and collecting facts related to the variability of animals and plants both in the domesticated and in the natural state, light could be shed on the question of the origin of species. In July 1837, Darwin begins the first notebook in which he enters his thoughts related to this problem. From that moment on, the solution of the problem of the origin of species becomes the central task of his whole life.

The first years after his return, Darwin worked on a diary of travel on the Beagle ship, which he published in 1839, and a five-volume monograph, Zoology of Travel.

In order to comprehend the results of the observations made during the Beagle expedition, Darwin takes part in the meetings and work of scientific societies in England, collaborates with leading naturalists and livestock breeders. He extracts facts that explain the instantaneous, by evolutionary standards, hereditary change in traits (the shape and size of the beak), which could take place in mockingbirds and finches of the Galapagos.

In the middle of 1838, Darwin studied the agricultural and domestic work of breeders J. Sebright and J. Wilkins and wrote: “Sir John Sebright, one of the most skillful breeders, said about pigeons that he undertakes to produce any feather it will take six years to get the desired shape of the head or beak.” Further research by the founder of biometrics, mathematician K. Pearson (1857–1936), showed that after six generations, any deviation from the average in the population can be fixed through selection.

According to E. Mayr, under the influence of research conducted by animal breeders, Darwin began to move from essentialism to population thinking. Darwin himself wrote the following on this subject: “Youatt speaks of the principle of selection as a means that allows the breeder not only to modify the features of his herd, but also to completely change it. It is a magic wand with which he calls into being any desired form. Lord Somerville, referring to what the breeders achieved with regard to the sheep, says: It seems as if they had drawn on the wall a form perfect in every respect, and then gave it life.

In August 1838 Darwin finally accepted the idea of ​​evolutionism. Then, for more than 20 years, he constantly expanded and deepened the theoretical study of the fauna and flora of the Galapagos, which culminated in the publication of the work "The Origin of Species by natural selection, or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life” (“The origin of species by means of natural selection or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life”). The book was published in November 1859. It begins with a discussion of variation in domestication.

Diary of research on the natural history and geology of countries,

visited during the circumnavigation of HMS Beagle

commanded by Captain FitzRoy of the Royal Navy.

Charles Darwin M.Sc. F.R.S. 1845

Charles Lyell, Esq., F.R.S.,

this second edition is gratefully dedicated in recognition of

that the main scientific advantages, which, perhaps,

possess this "Diary" and other works of the author,

owe their origin to the study of all known,

amazing "Basic Principles of Geology"

I AM I have already pointed out in the preface to the first edition of this work and in The Zoological Results of the Voyage of the Beagle that, in response to the wish expressed by Captain Fitzroy to have a research assistant on the ship, for which he was ready to give up some of his personal comforts, I offered my services, to which was obtained - thanks to the courtesy of the hydrographer Captain Beaufort - the consent of the Lords of the Admiralty. As I feel entirely indebted to Captain FitzRoy for the fortunate opportunity of studying the natural history of the various countries which we have visited, I hope I may be allowed here to express my gratitude to him once more, and to add that during the five years we have spent together, I met from him the most cordial friendship and constant help.

I shall forever remain deeply grateful to Captain FitzRoy and to all the officers of the Beagle for the unfailing cordiality with which they treated me during our long journey.

This volume contains, in the form of a diary, the history of our journey and an outline of those observations on natural history and geology which, I believe, will be of some interest to a wide circle of readers. In this edition I have greatly abridged and corrected some sections, and added something to others to make this book more accessible to the general reader; but, I hope, naturalists will remember that for details they must turn to the larger works in which the scientific results of the expedition are presented.

In "The Zoological Results of the Beagle Voyage," Professor Owen described fossil mammals, Mr. Waterhouse, modern mammals, Mr. Gould, birds, Rev. L. Jenyns, fish, and Mr. Bell, reptiles. I added to the description of each species notes about its lifestyle and area of ​​​​distribution. These writings, to which I am indebted to the great talent and unselfish zeal of the eminent scholars mentioned above, could not have been undertaken but for the generosity of the Lords of the Exchequer, who, at the suggestion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, kindly provided a thousand pounds sterling to cover part of the costs of publication.

For my part, I published separate volumes: The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs, Volcanic Islands Visited on the Voyage of the Beagle, and Geology of South America. The sixth volume of "Geological Transactions" contains two of my articles - on erratic boulders and on volcanic phenomena in South America. Mrs. Waterhouse, Walker, Newman, and White have published some excellent papers on the insects that have been collected, and I hope many more will follow. The plants of the southern regions of America are described by Dr. J. Hooker in his great work on botany. southern hemisphere. The flora of the Galapagos Archipelago is the subject of a special memoir published by him in Linnean Transactions. The Rev. Professor Henslow published a list of the plants I collected from the Keeling Islands, and the Rev. J.-M. Berkeley described my collection of mystogamous plants.

I shall be happy in due time to express my gratitude to certain naturalists for the great help they have given me in the course of my work on this and other writings; but here I must only venture to state my most sincere thanks to the Rev. Professor Henslow, who chiefly instilled in me, during my student years at Cambridge, a taste for natural history, and who, during my absence, undertook the care of the collections, sent by me to my homeland, and with his letters directed my undertakings, and who - since the time of my return - has invariably given me all the help that the kindest friend can offer.

Down, Bromley, Kent, June, 1845

Porto Praia Ribeira Grande. – Atmospheric dust with ciliates. - The habits of the sea snail and octopus. – Rocks of St. Paul – non-volcanic origin. - Unique inlays. – Insects are the first settlers on the islands. - Fernando de Noronha. - Baya. - Polished rocks. - Habits of fish Diodon. – Pelagic Confervae and ciliates. Causes of coloration of the sea.

TO Her Majesty's Fleet, the ten-gun brig Beagle, commanded by Captain FitzRoy of the Royal Navy, sailed from Devon Port on December 27, 1831, after being twice forced back by strong south-westerly winds. The purpose of the expedition was to complete the hydrographic survey of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, begun by the expedition of Captain King in 1826-1830, to survey the coasts of Chile, Peru and some Pacific islands, and, finally, to conduct a series of chronometric measurements around the globe. On the 6th January we reached Tenerife, but were not allowed to land for fear that we might bring cholera; the next morning we saw the sun, rising from behind the bizarre outline of Gran Canaria, suddenly illuminate the peak of Tenerife, while the low parts of the island were still hidden behind curly clouds. It was the first of many delightful days that I will never forget. On January 16, 1832, we anchored off Porto Praia on Santiago [Santiago], the main island of the Cape Verde archipelago.

From the sea, the surroundings of Porto Praia look lifeless. The volcanic fires of past ages and the scorching heat of the tropical sun have rendered the soil in many places unsuitable for vegetation. The country gradually rises in flat ledges, over which conical hills with blunted peaks are scattered here and there, and an irregular chain of higher mountains stretches on the horizon. The picture that opens up to the eye through the foggy air of this country is very curious; however, it is hardly possible for a person who has just been in a grove of coconut palms, where he came straight from the sea, and, moreover, for the first time in his life, can judge anything - he is so full of experienced happiness.

This island is usually considered very uninteresting, but to a person accustomed to English landscapes alone, the new view of the country, completely barren, seems to him full of grandeur, which would be violated if there were more greenery. In the vast expanses of lava fields, you can hardly find at least one green leaf, and yet herds of goats and even a few cows manage to maintain their existence there. It rains very rarely here, but there is one short period of time in the year during which there are heavy showers, and immediately after that, a faint green breaks out of every crack. It soon dries up, and the animals feed on this natural hay. This time it didn't rain all year.

28 chose

February 12, 1809, that is 202 years ago in England was born the future scientist-naturalist, the founder of the theory of evolution Charles Darwin. But one should not think that a scientist is necessarily a person buried in books at the library table. On the contrary, this profession can be full of adventure. Charles Darwin, for example, before reaching the evolutionary theory, made a five-year trip around the world on the Beagle.

Darwin was versatile an educated person. He began his studies at the University of Edinburgh in the course of medicine. But, although his father was a doctor, this science seemed boring to him, and surgery - cruel. Darwin abandoned medicine and began to study taxidermy, natural history, geology, botany. Soon his first discoveries in these areas appear.

But father Darwin was dissatisfied with the fact that his son abandoned medicine and demanded that he enter a Christian college and receive the priesthood. Charles agreed. Who knew at that moment what difficult relations the scientist would have with religion in the future, after the release of the book "Origin of Species". After all, the church after that will dislike the scientist for centuries.

Anyway, Charles Darwin I started studying theology. True, as he himself admitted, while studying at Cambridge University, he was more interested in horse riding, hunting, and collecting insects. The scientist told how, having caught two rare beetles, he tried to grab a third, but, since his hands were not enough, he put one of the caught ones into his mouth. But the beetle released some kind of caustic liquid and burned the tongue of the young naturalist, so that the hunt was unsuccessful.

When Darwin was 23 years old, he was invited to take part as a naturalist in a round-the-world trip on the ship "Beagle" (the ship for some reason is named after the favorite breed of dogs in England). The young scientist happily agreed, although his father was not enthusiastic about the idea. By the way, travel Darwin almost broke. Captain Fitzroy, who made the final decision about his participation in the journey, was fond of physiognomy and believed that a person with such a nose shape would not be suitable for a long trip.

But, nevertheless, the scientist got on the ship. On conditions that are not entirely clear - his work was not paid, moreover, he himself had to buy his own equipment. The main purpose of the trip was to look for new places for the colonies, and the naturalist was not interested in the government. But this will not stop a real explorer!

Didn't stop Darwin and sea sickness. Despite the frequent bouts of this disease, the scientist continued his research not only during stops, but also on board, studied invertebrates. For five years, the ship traveled around the world, rounding South America and Australia from the south. The English expedition visited Brazil, Uruguay, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland and Galapagos Islands, Patagonia, Chile, Peru, Australia, Oceania and Africa.

Extensive knowledge in various fields helped Darwin on a journey: he made descriptions of geology, collected a collection of animals and invertebrates. During the travelling Darwin discovered the fossilized remains of an unprecedented mammal - macrouchenia, whose growth is comparable to the size of a camel.

After returning Darwin based his theory on his own observations of the behavior and distribution of animals, as well as on the basis of the life and life of the natives.

What do you think about such active scientific activity?

C. Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury. In 1818, Darwin entered the school and, upon graduation in 1826, entered the Edinburgh University at the Faculty of Medicine. After 2 years, he transferred to the theological faculty in Cambridge. He was especially interested in natural history, and the zoologist Henslow and the geologist Sedgwick had a special influence on his formation as a scientist. In 1831, Darwin graduated from the university and, as a naturalist, went on a trip on the Beagle ship.

December 12, 1831 "Beagle" departed from Devonport, went to the shores of the South. America on the instructions of the British Admiralty. The purpose of the expedition was to explore the coast of Chile and Peru, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Pacific Islands. The journey lasted about 5 years, of which 3 years Darwin was on land, twice crossed the territory of the South. America. During the journey, Darwin conducted paleontological research. So, for example, in Punto Alta, he discovered the remains of a fossil anteater and sloth and 9 more extinct species of animals, and in Patagonia he found the remains of ancient armadillos, sloths and anteaters. Exploring them, Darwin concluded that there is a clear similarity between fossil and modern forms, therefore, there is a relationship between them. Some forms struck Darwin by the fact that they combined the features of several modern detachments, i.e. were transitional forms between them, which once again confirms the relationship between fossil and living species. Darwin drew attention to the geographical distribution of plants and animals North. and Yuzh. America. He noted the existence of similar forms and, at the same time, a significant difference in flora and fauna. Darwin explained this using the historical method. Previously, in his opinion, the continents were interconnected and had a single flora and fauna. Over time, the continents separated as a result of the drift of the continents, therefore, climatic conditions changed and, as a result of isolation, specific flora and fauna began to form. Common species died out, leaving species capable of wide adaptations.

On September 5, 1835, the Beagle landed in the Galapagos Islands. They are located quite close to the equator and ~ 900 km from the mainland, but due to the presence of the South Polar Current, the climate on the islands is not hot. Darwin discovered a large number endemics- species that live only in this area and are not found anywhere else (for example, different types finches, mockingbirds, buzzards, owls, sea and elephant turtles). He drew attention to the fact that different types of finches are similar in many respects, but there is a difference between them in the structure and size of the beak. Darwin explained this simply: finches have one ancestor, but due to different living conditions and, in particular, nutritional conditions, they developed various adaptations, including the shape of the beak. Comparing the fauna of the islands with the mainland, Darwin found that they are similar to each other, but also have significant differences, although the flora and fauna of the islands bear a clear South American imprint. It is obvious that these species represent evolved South American forms. On some islands, fauna and flora were also endemic, for example, on James Island, out of 38 plant species, 30 were endemic. Darwin explains the presence of endemics on the island with strong sea currents, the absence of wind, and therefore the impossibility of transferring living organisms from island to island.

From the Galapagos Islands, the Beagle headed for the coast of Australia, having visited the islands of New Zealand and Tasmania. Rounding Australia from the south, Darwin discovered many endemic species on the mainland and islands, in particular marsupials and oviparous ones, which were relic transitional forms, extinct throughout the Earth and preserved only in Australia and on the adjacent islands. Darwin explained this by the fact that Australia was isolated before other continents. Of particular interest to Darwin was the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for 2,000 km along the east coast of Australia.

On April 1, 1836, the Beagle landed on the shores of the Cocos or Keeling Islands. These islands are of volcanic origin and are the result of the activity of coral polyps. Exploring coral reefs and islands, Darwin proposed the hypothesis of the emergence of coral islands - atolls. The atoll has the form of a ring or half ring, inside of which there is a lagoon with calm water. Darwin suggested that land areas that once protruded from the water, due to tectonic activity, sank under water. The corals that lived underwater along the perimeter of this piece of land continued their vital activity, gradually building up the reef to the height of the island, until finally an atoll was formed. The life of the atoll is rich and unique. Of particular interest are the corals themselves and the vegetation, which is dominated by coconut trees. Darwin noted the fact that almost all plant species of the islands are characteristic of the coast of the Malay Archipelago, i.e., Darwin suggests, seeds from the Malay Archipelago fell with currents and winds to the coast of Australia, and from there, along with Australian species, to the Cocos Islands.

The next important place for the Beagle expedition was St. Helena. 120 years before Darwin, the nature of the island was described by its governor, General Bates. According to this description, both plateaus on the island were covered with forests, but Darwin did not see them anymore. Exploring the nature of the island, Darwin concludes that nature is constantly changing under the influence of the living organisms themselves. The fact is that the colonists brought to the island a huge number of goats, sheep, pigs, which destroyed the entire undergrowth of trees. Without renewal, the forest gradually turned into a forest-steppe, and then into a steppe. Rigid grassy vegetation began to grow in place of forests. Accordingly, the animal world has also changed, for example, several species of terrestrial mollusks have disappeared. Darwin concludes that human activity is one of the factors affecting the environment.

The Beagle's voyage ended on October 2, 1836, when the Beagle reached the shores of England. Upon his return to England, Darwin began work on preparing for publication the travel diary, the results of geological observations, and began to systematize the material for the book Zoological Results of the Naturalist's Voyage on the Beagle. This work was published in 1842-1843.

The conclusions made by Darwin during the journey were also the prerequisites for the creation of evolutionary theory:

1. Geological discoveries. A visit to the Keeling Islands and the hypothesis of the formation of atolls, a visit to St. Helena and conclusions about the impact of the activities of living organisms and humans on the surrounding nature and other observations, according to Darwin, confirmed the truth of Lyell's "theory of actualism". His "Geology" was Darwin's reference book during the journey.

2. Paleontological discoveries:

Conclusion about the similarity of modern. species with fossils, and therefore their similarities;

In the process of evolution, forms acquire features that are different from the original, under the influence of changing environmental conditions. These changes are adaptive.

3. Data on the geographical distribution of animals:

Explaining the geographical distribution of animals and plants on the continents and islands, and the differences between mainland and island flora and fauna, and some of their similarities. The presence of endemic species, for example, in the Galapagos Islands and in Australia, can be explained in a similar way;

One of the factors in the evolution of continental forms introduced to islands and forms on different continents is their geographical isolation;

The factors influencing the change in environmental conditions can be: the activity of the organisms themselves, human activity and various phenomena of inanimate nature.

In January 1839 C. Darwin married his cousin Emma, ​​in 1842 he left for the estate in Downe, where he worked until the end of his life. Shortly before his departure, he sketched the first outline of the evolutionary theory of the origin of species by natural selection, however, he decided to publish it only after 17 years. Only Charles Lyell and the botanist Hooker knew of its existence. On June 18, 1858, Darwin received a letter from Alfred Wallace, a well-known naturalist and explorer of the Malay Archipelago; the letter included his article outlining the main provisions of evolutionary theory. The main ideas of the theory were the ideas of the struggle for existence and natural selection. They coincided with the main provisions of Darwin's theory, the main idea of ​​which was the origin and evolution of species through natural selection and the struggle for existence based on hereditary variability. Darwin wanted to give up priority in creating a theory, but C. Lyell and R. Hooker persuaded him to speak at a meeting of the London Linnean Society at the same time as the announcement of Wallace's letter. Given the painstaking work carried out by Darwin, the abundance of evidence, the wealth of factual material, the clarity of the presentation of the main ideas of the theory, and taking into account the opinion of Wallace himself, the priority in creating the theory was left to Charles Darwin. For some time, evolutionary theory was called the Darwin-Wallace theory.

At the Royal navy Great Britain, it was already the second of eight Beagle ships (HMS Beagle). The name was popular among English nobility hunting dog breed. The order for its construction was given in June 1818 at the Woolwich shipyard, but the ship was launched only in May 1820. The cost was 7803 British pounds, which, in today's exchange rate, equals 600 thousand.

Initially, the ship was designed as a brig-sloop, but in 1825 it was converted into a barque for research expeditions.

Travel itinerary

On the morning of December 27, 1831, a crew of seventy-three men set off from Plymouth harbor on the Beagle. Captain Robert Fitzroy noted in his notes that the ship was leaving England fully equipped with everything necessary for the upcoming voyage. Everything he requested from the Admiralty was granted.

The direction chosen for the journey was a popular route for ships in the 19th century. The Beagle headed south, reaching the Cape Verde Islands on January 16, 1832. She sails to Cape Horn, moving along the coast of South America, then on November 21 she anchors off the island of Chiloe. The next point of the route becomes the Galapagos archipelago, after which the ship crosses Pacific Ocean heading to Sydney (Australia).

The bark sails across the Indian Ocean, and on April 29, 1836, arrives in Mauritius. On his route were Cape Town ( South Africa), Saint Helena and the Brazilian coast - the city of Bahia de los Santos. The journey is nearing completion, after the Azores the expedition heads back to England.

South America

Darwin spent most of his research on the southern coast of the continent, where Argentina and Chile are today. It was in Latin America that the naturalist made discoveries that influenced his subsequent work.

Near Rio de Janeiro, many samples of plants, insects and animals were collected. The scientist spent a couple of weeks in a small cottage located near Mount Corcovado. He was engaged in packing and preserving the finds, wrote notes and letters to England.

When studying Punta Alta, the scientist's prey was a fossil of an animal unknown to him. It was on a cliff, below a layer of sea shells. After this discovery, Darwin thought about the questions: "What is the reason for the absence of living animals of this kind in South America?" and "Does their extinction affect environment?"

Galapagos archipelago

Scientists describe it as a unique, scientifically important and biologically outstanding object on Earth. Today, the Turtle Islands are one of the most popular holiday destinations among tourists. It was here that Darwin personally saw the consequences of evolution in isolation. For example, one could easily recognize from which part of the archipelago a turtle sailed from its shell.

The expedition visited only four islands, but the information collected was enough for the naturalist to find confirmation of his theory. He called the Galapagos "a small world in the middle of a big one."

Arrival in England

On October 2, 1836, the ship completed its voyage around the world, which lasted 4 years, 9 months and 5 days. The anchor was dropped in the city of Falmouth (England), from where Darwin immediately set off for Shrewsbury. There he met with his family and spent the next day sending letters to his friends.

The further fate of the "Beagle"

The ship participated in three more expeditions. In 1845 she was converted to a Coast Guard vessel to control the shipping lanes off the coast of Essex. In 1870 it was sold to Messrs. Murray and Trayner for analysis.

In 2000, Robert Prescott, a professor at the Scottish University of St. Andrews, began searching for the Beagle. And he is absolutely sure that he found it, because research on the possible location of the dock was successful. Under the mud, in the Essex estuary, traces of tree species and an old anchor of the 1841 model were found. The GPR image shows a ship similar in size to a 27-meter brig.

In December 2011, the first full-scale replica of the ship was announced at the Nao Victoria Museum. Notofagus is used for construction.

Diaries and Notes of Charles Darwin

While traveling on the Beagle, the naturalist filled out countless notebooks. They contain information and significant facts about the animal and plant world, which he explored. Over 1500 various kinds were transferred to his home during the voyage.

Scientists note that the records are very detailed, they contain many important details. Darwin kept a diary from the beginning of the voyage, and from the first pages the author's interest in theoretical issues is noticeable. He often reread it, after which he revised his theories, taking into account the new information received.