Studies in the Theory of Descent (Volumes 1 and 2)

"Studies in the Theory of Descent" by August Weismann is a late 1800's scientific exploration of evolution, diving deep into how traits are passed down and how species change, especially insects. It checks out how the environment and biology work together, digging into the tricky parts of evolution. Starting with seasonal changes in butterflies, like the Araschnia Levana, the book shows how things like temperature can change how butterflies look, giving clues about where their colors come from. He argues against some common ideas about adaptation, setting the stage to look closer at how species can evolve and adapt. The book stresses that both what you inherit and what's around you are important in shaping living things.