Presentation lists for <i>Coral reefs</i> 2d ed. and <i>Descent</i> 2d ed.

The second edition of Coral reefs was published in late May or early June 1874 (letter from G. H. Darwin, 30 May 1874). The first edition of Coral reefs had been published in 1842; Darwin had approached the publisher, Smith, Elder & Co., in December 1873 about producing a new edition of the work (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter to Smith, Elder & Co., 17 December [1873]). The shortage of copies of the first edition is shown by Darwin's trouble finding a copy to correct; in the end he used Charles Lyell's copy (letter to Charles Lyell, [13 January 1874]). The proof-sheets were corrected by Darwin's eldest daughter, Henrietta Emma Litchfield; Emma Darwin worked on the revises, and an old family friend, Ellen Tollet, pronounced the first sheet ‘perfectly clear’, although Darwin lamented that the whole was ‘atrociously written’ (letters to H. E. Litchfield, 21 [March 1874] and 27 [March 1874]). Corrections were so heavy that Darwin offered to pay for any that Smith, Elder thought excessive (letter to Smith, Elder & Co., 27 March [1874]).