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A PAGE FROM "THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES"

This sheet, written by Charles Darwin for the first edition of his epoch-making book, was recently presented to the American Museum by the author's son. Major Leonard Darwin, and has been placed on exhibition in Darwin hall.

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PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPT

A page of the original manuscript of The Origin of Species was received by President Henry Fairfield Osborn under date of September 21, 1922, from Major Leonard Darwin, whom the members of the American Museum will remember as the retiring president of the Second International Congress of Eugenics. The page in question, a reproduction of which appears herewith, corresponds with the subject matter on pp. 187--88 of Volume I, Chapter 6, of the original edition of Darwin's epoch-making work. In later editions changes were introduced, altering to a large extent the wording of the upper part of the manuscript page. This precious gift has a double significance: in the first place as an historic document of the greatest interest, and in the second because of the fact that it has been bestowed by the author's son, who through his own contributions in the field of science has added new laurels to the name of Darwin. The manuscript, as well as the copy of the original edition of The Origin of Species, has been mounted and placed on exhibition in Darwin hall, American Museum, beside the bust of the great naturalist.