To mark the completion of the Darwin Project and the 214th anniversary of Darwin's birth, use our new interactive to explore 3D images of the rocks Darwin collected on a Beagle voyage inland expedition in the foothills of the Andes in 1834.
Try out the two interactives to explore why Darwin fed a range of substances to carnivorous plants, including some that were extremely poisonous to animals. Learn how Darwin's son Francis used a cutting-edge scientific instrument made by another son Horace to assist Darwin with his work on Movement in plants.
What is it like to work on the Darwin Correspondence Project? Watch these short films to find out about day-to-day life on the Project, including how the editors piece letters back together from fragments in the Darwin archive, date incomplete letters, and research who wrote letters with no signature.
In 1831, Darwin joined a voyage that he later referred to 'as by far the most important event in my life'. Dive in to our 3D model of the Beagle and find out more about life on board and the adventures that he had.
Ever wondered how Darwin worked? As part of our For the Curious series of simple interactives, 'Darwin working from home' lets you explore objects from Darwin's study and garden at Down House to learn how he worked and what he had to say about it. And not all his work days were successful, here are some letters about Darwin's bad days.
Some of the stranger things Darwin received in the post can tell us a lot about how Darwin worked at home. In 1863, Darwin was very excited when the ornithologist Alfred Newton sent him a diseased, red-legged partridge foot with an enormous ball of clay attached. He wanted to further test his statement in Origin of species about birds being 'highly effective agents in the transportation of seeds' (Origin, p.
Darwin was almost always in the company of dogs. Nina, Spark, Pincher, and Shiela. Snow, Dash, Bob, and Bran. The beloved terrier Polly (right). They were Darwin's constant companions at home and in the field, on walks and in sport, in his study and by the fireside. They were also fascinating objects of study. Darwin observed their variations in breed and behaviour, their adaptation to specific conditions, and their mental and emotional abilities, which approached those of humans.
Tells CD where to pick up the partridge's foot with the ball of earth attached; sends a copy of his remarks on the same. [See Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 13 (1864): 99-101.]
Thanks for references about dogs. Fears work will not allow him to deal with subject again. Heartily subscribes to what correspondent says about qualities of dogs. Loves his "with all my heart".
CD's pessimistic view [of prospective sale of Insectivorous plants] is to blame for the small printing. Murray's printed only 1250 copies and sold 1700. A thousand more have been ordered.
![Those other animals by George Alfred Henty and Harrison Weir, p. 127]](/sites/default/files/thoseotheranimal00hentiala_0143.jpg "Those other animals by George Alfred Henty and Harrison Weir, p. 127")
A series of short pieces introducing letters on aspects of Darwin's life and research.