Pixabay (Created by Candice Gaukel Andrews)

Charles Darwin’s visit to the Galapagos Islands had a profound impact on his later theories of natural selection. These volcanic islands are home to many unique species that still fascinate visitors today.

Curiosity can lead to wondrous things, as every scientist knows. And it certainly did recently for Dr. Howard Falcon-Lang at the British Geological Survey.

Poking around in a dusty corner in the survey’s archives, Falcon-Lang happened to come across an old cabinet. Being a researcher, of course, he opened a few drawers to see what was inside. He was shocked by what he found: the first slide he pulled out of its pocket turned out to be one of the specimens collected by Charles Darwin on his famous expedition to the Galapagos Islands on the HMS Beagle—one of many such items that have been hidden for more than 165 years.

The first fossil Dr. Falcon-Lang pulled out had “C. Darwin, Esq.” printed on it. ©From the video “Scientist Uncovers Lost Darwin Fossil Samples,” CBS News

To see this fascinating story, as reported by CBS Evening News, go to YouTube and paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msq6PwCqSns.

Here’s to finding your true places and natural habitats,

Candy