In the history of the exploration of the Earth, the naturalist explorations constituted an important chapter. One long journey was fundamental for the natural sciences: that of Charles Darwin on board the Beagle (1831-1836).

Upon his return to England, Darwin – who started out on the journey when only 22 years old – studied the samples collected in the company of other naturalists and formulated the theory of evolution which emerged in the year 1859.