The Zoology of the Voyage of H.m.s. Beagle [Vol. 1 Of 5]: Fossil Mammalia

A scientific publication written in the mid-19th century. This work provides a detailed examination of fossil mammals discovered during the voyage of the Beagle, primarily focusing on the anatomy and geology of these extinct species. The book is both a description of the specimens collected and an exploration of the geological contexts from which they emerged. The opening of this volume sets the stage by acknowledging the significant scientific voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, under Captain FitzRoy, aimed at surveying southern regions of America. Richard Owen discusses the responsibility placed upon him to describe the fossil mammalia collected during this expedition and explains the geological backdrop of these discoveries. The preface elaborates on the collaborative effort involving prominent naturalists, with Owen detailing the contributions of various scholars to different sections of this scientific endeavor. He emphasizes the geological introduction by Charles Darwin, which sets the foundation for understanding the fossil remains as not merely artifacts of curiosity, but significant pieces of the broader puzzle of Earth's biological and geological history.