The bay that inspired Darwin.

Abstract

Recent studies on Darwin’s researches during the voyage of the Beagle reveal the importance of the Pampa region in his thinking on evolution. It seems that the fossil mammals found at Punta Alta and Monte Hermoso cliffs, on the bahía (bay) Blanca, had inspired the young naturalist’s ideas. Altogether with his paleontological discoveries, his observation on Blanca bay native animals and plants were crucial elements to his thoughts on transmutation, although his biographers had minimized this fact.