Images Dated 22nd February 2011

Galapagos Admiralty map by Fitzroy Beagle

Admiralty map of Galapagos 1845 resulting from Captain Robert Fitzroy's Beagle charts, overlain with a portion of a letter written by Fitzroy. Robert Fitzroy (b. 5 July 1805- d. 30 April 1865) was famous as the captain of HMS Beagle who, requiring a Gentleman's companion to avert the risk of depression and suicide, took the young Charles Darwin on his voyage. Darwin respected the captain while at the same time fearing Fitzroy would always be his own worst enemy. After his trip Darwin referred to the Galapagos (and also South American megafauna fossils) as being the origin of all his views. Fitzroy is also remembered for his contributions to meteorology (he pioneered weather forecasting) and as a Governor of New Zealand from 1843-1845. Fitzroy committed suicide at 59, but the charts he produced continued to be used up to the second World War

© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

1874 Monkey Darwin cartoon by Faustin

"Prof. Darwin" coloured lithograph by Faustin Betbeder, with original Shakespeare quotes in text below. Front page of the "Figaro" paper N. 475, London Wednesday February 18th 1874. It appeared there as an advert for the sister paper, the more expensive London Sketch-Book of the same month. The colour lithograph sample was clipped and stuck on for that purpose. Charles Darwin owned a copy of this version in his own collection (Darwin Archive 140.4). He also kept the associated text clipping which notes "with rare humility (Darwin) owns that his ancestors were apes. It appears that one person believed in the Darwinian theory, which we hold to be evidence that man is descended from a certain long eared quadruped" (donkey). Charles Darwin published The Descent of Man in 1871. This caricature of Charles Darwin as an ape also appeared in the London Sketch Book in 1874 as a souvenir print

© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com

1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon 1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon

From Punch 41 (1861) page 34, July. "The age of the comet ascertained to a nicety. The antediluvians recognise an old acquantance of A.M. 1372". Prehistoric reptiles (modelled after Waterhouse Hawkins Crystal Palace reconstructions at Sydenham), stare through telescopes at "the Great Comet of 1861". The comet was visible to the naked eye for three months in that year. The comet is now formally designated C/1861 J1 or 1861 II. The cartoon supposes the dinosaurs saw the same periodic comet during their reign on earth. This comet came within 0.1326 AU of the Earth - during which time the earth was within the Comet tail. By day the comet's gas and dust even dimmed the sun. The cartoon gains poignance in light of the comet's near approach and recent theories about the dinosaurs demise. The closest dinosaur is modelled after Hyaeolosaurus, mid distance Teleosaurus, furthest away iguanodon

© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY