My Year of Darwin 5/19/2014: Psst.... I'm thinking about evolution

 

"Considering the small size of these islands, we feel the more astonished at the number of their aboriginal being, and at their confined range. Seeing every height crowned with its crator, and the boundaries of most of the lava-streams still distinct, we are led to believe that within a period geologically recent the unbroken ocean was here spread out. Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact - that mystery of mysteries - the first appearance of new beings on this earth." Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle 

This is, I believe, Darwin's first explicit statement that he was interested in the origin of species (lower case is intentional). Earlier in the Voyage, in a footnote, Darwin says "This is merely an illustration of the admirable laws, first laid down by Mr. Lyell, on the geographical distribution of animals, as influenced by geological changes. The whole reasoning of course, is founded on the assumption of the immutability of species; otherwise the differences in species in the two regions might be considered as superinduced during a length of time." 

Exceedingly profound thought - in a footnote. C'mon Darwin. I understand; get the evidence but in these two passages, Darwin is pointing out where he is going and where his thoughts are.