On various contrivances by which British & Foreign Orchids are fertilised by insects

London: John Murray, 1862. FIRST EDITION. Text illustrations. Original plum cloth with an orchid in gilt on front cover. Covers and spine worn, spine a bit shabby, chipped at foot. Interior is excellent with a modern presentation signature on front flyleaf. First edition of Darwin's primary work on plant fertilization. Detailing the relationship between the sexual structure of orchids and the insects that fertilize them, this was the first of three volumes that followed the publication of the Origin which contained supporting evidence for the author's theory of natural selection. Darwin concludes that plants are equal to animals in the marvels of their adaptation; for example, he observes that wind-pollinated flowers have no colours; it is only those insect-pollinated varieties that have bright coloured petals and sweet smelling nectars.