Develops passion for studying beetles. Meets his mentors.
Joins crew of HMS Beagle which sets sail in December on a 5 year voyage
See evidence of the land gradually and continually changing
Visits Rainforests
Meets various tribal people. Still considers them savages
Collects fossil bones. Discovers the remains of 9 different colossal animals. Realizes current species resemble giant fossils found
Experiences earthquake
Visits Lima, Peru
Goes to the Galapagos islands. Notices difference between species on different islands. Bases later theory on these observations
Visits Australia
Returns home. Devotes himself to studying nature
Begins writing theory of Natural Selection. Advantageous traits are passed on to offspring. Those without them die.
On the Origin of Species is published. Darwin did not believe that humans evolved from apes but instead shared a common ancestor. He also believed that evolution reconciled with a belief in God.
