Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation by Robert Chambers
Originally published anonymously in 1844, Vestiges proved to be as controversial as its author expected. Integrating research in the burgeoning sciences of anthropology, geology, astronomy, biology, economics, and chemistry, it was the first attempt to connect the natural sciences to a history of creation. The author, whose identity was not revealed until 1884, was Robert Chambers, a leading Scottish writer and publisher. Vestiges reached a huge popular audience and was widely read by the social and intellectual elite. It sparked debate about natural law, setting the stage for the controversy over Darwin's Origin. In response to the surrounding debate and criticism, Chambers published Explanations: A Sequel, in which he offered a reasoned defense of his ideas about natural law, castigating what he saw as the narrowness of specialist science. Table of Contents 1. The Bodies of SpaceTheir arrangements and formation 2. Constituent materials of the Earth, and of the other Bodies of Space 3. The Earth formedEra of the Primary Rocks 4. Commencement of Organic LifeSea Plants, Corals, &c. 5. Era of the Old Red SandstoneFishes abundant 6. Secondary RocksEra of the Carboniferous FormationLand formedCommencement of Land Plants 7. Era of the New Red Sandstone-Terrestrial Zoology commences with ReptileFirst traces of Birds 8. Era of the OoliteCommencement of Mammalia 9. Era of the Cretaceous Formation 10. Era of the Tertiary FormationMammalia abundant 11. Era of the Superficial FormationsCommencement of present Species 12. General Considerations respecting the Origin of the Animated Tribes 13. Particular Considerations respecting the Origin of the Animated Tribes 14. Hypothesis of the Development of the Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms 15. Macleay System of Animated NatureThis System considered in connexion with the Progress of Organic Creation, and as indicating the natural status of Man 16. Early History of Mankind 17. Mental Constitution of Animals 18. Purpose and General Condition of the Animated Creation 19. Note Conclusory Hard cover with dj, very good condition, tiny tear in dj, 1969(1844)
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