In 1846 Darwin started his research on barnacles and goose barnacles (Cirripedia), which would last for eight years. For this purpose he interrupted his study of the transmutation of species. He emerged from this period as a professional biologist/paleontologist and this fact gave him much self-confidence. He now had the feeling that he had a say in the matter.

Here are two pages from the very complete and detailed monograph in two parts, which were published respectively in 1851 and 1854. The books are still important. In his work he dealt with the still living (goose) barnacles as well as with the fossil ones. He had a lot of profit of it in relation with his evolution theory, because he could use many examples from it. The making of the books cost him much strain and in the end he detested the subject..

Darwin 37

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