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)