In this groundbreaking collection of essays, Charles Darwin sets forth many of the key ideas that would later become central to his theory of evolution. From detailed descriptions of the marking patterns of caterpillars, to observations on the transformation of axolotls, to his groundbreaking work on the mechanism of natural selection, Studies in the Theory of Descent is essential reading for anyone interested in the work of this foundational figure in the history of science. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.