8vo. Half-title with quotations on verso; folding lithographic diagram by William West after Darwin bound to face p. 117. Original green cloth [Freeman variant a], stamped in blind, gilt-stamped spine, by Edmonds and Remnants with their ticket (front hinge slightly starting, small scuff on spine near foot). Provenance: Edward Goodban (booksellers' ticket); Worcester Public Library (bookplate, embossed stamp on title-page and first few pages of Contents, call number gilt-stamped on spine).

SECOND EDITION, second issue with an 1860 imprint and “fifth thousand” on title page. In actuality only 3,000 copies were printed bringing the total to 4,250 with several revisions to the text including the misprint "speceis" and the whale-bear story shortened. Roughly two copies of the first issue exist with an 1859 imprint. THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND IMPORTANT BIOLOGICAL WORK EVER PRODUCED ON ANY CONTINENT. Freeman 376.