In 1831, when Darwin was just 22 years old, he set sail on a scientific expedition on a ship called the HMS Beagle. He was the naturalist on the voyage. As a naturalist, it was his job to observe and collect specimens of plants, animals, rocks, and fossils wherever the expedition went ashore.

Giant Tortoises Darwin noticed that different tortoise species lived on islands with different environments. He realized that the tortoises had traits that allowed them to live in their particular environments. The giant tortoise (left) is a unique animal found only in the Galápagos Islands.

Darwin and the HMS Beagle were in Galapagos during September and October of 1835, and during this time, Darwin had the opportunity to explore a handful of islands, and he collected several Galapagos species for use in his research and that of his friends back home.

In South America, Darwin found fossils of extinct animals that were similar to modern species. Furthermore, on the Galapagos Islands he noticed many variations of plants and animals that were similar to those he found in South America, suggesting that species adapted over time and to their environment.

Captained by Robert FitzRoy, the trip (the second voyage of HMS Beagle) lasted until 2 October 1836 and saw the crew visit locations as varied as Brazil, Tierra del Fuego, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Azores.

Darwin observed living things as he traveled. He thought about relationships among those organisms. Darwin’s important observations included the diversity of living things, the remains of ancient organisms, and the characteristics of organisms on the Galápagos Islands.

What important observations did Darwin make on his voyage. the diversity of organisms, the remains of ancient organisms, and the characteristics of organisms on the Galapagos Islands.

What kinds of comparisons did Darwin make on his voyage? He compared Galapagos organisms to South America organism; and he compared organisms among the islands.

Westminster Abbey, London, United Kingdom

Eight British Prime Ministers are buried in the Abbey; William Pitt the Elder, William Pitt the Younger, George Canning, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, William Ewart Gladstone, Bonar Law, Neville Chamberlain and Clement Attlee.

Darwin’s finches

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Darwin is buried inside Westminster Abbey. After newspapers and the public joined the chorus, the Dean of Westminster gave his approval. A week after his death, Darwin was laid to rest in England’s most revered church near fellow scientists John Herschel and Isaac Newton.

In 1831, Charles Darwin received an astounding invitation: to join the HMS Beagle as ship’s naturalist for a trip around the world. Article A Stunning Invitation In August 1831, Darwin received a letter offering a chance of a lifetime—an invitation to go on a trip around the world as a naturalist.

Charles Darwin sailed around the world from 1831–1836 as a naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle. His experiences and observations helped him develop the theory of evolution through natural selection.

Darwin accepted the invitation over the objections of his father, who saw the proposed two-year voyage as a chance for his son to continue idling, something he had become pretty good at since graduating from Cambridge.

In 1837 HMS Beagle set off on a survey of Australia. Many of the places were named for important people or members of the crew. Wickham named Port Darwin in honour of Charles Darwin. During this survey, the Beagle Gulf was named after the ship.

18 months

The second voyage of HMS Beagle is notable for carrying the recently graduated naturalist Charles Darwin around the world….HMS Beagle.

Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection states that living things with beneficial traits produce more offspring than others do. This produces changes in the traits of living things over time. During his voyage on the Beagle, Darwin made many observations that helped him develop his theory of evolution.

Beagle, British naval vessel aboard which Charles Darwin served as naturalist on a voyage to South America and around the world (1831–36). The specimens and observations accumulated on this voyage gave Darwin the essential materials for his theory of evolution by natural selection.

The purpose of the Beagle’s voyage was to survey the coast of South America. Charles Darwin was invited on board as the Captain’s Companion and naturalist. In his time aboard the Beagle, Darwin would describe and collect many new types of animals and plants.

Her Majesty’s ship Beagle