Darwin from Descent of Man to Emotions under Domestication" which went on sale on 30 January 1868. He now published his ideas on human evolution and on how beautiful but apparently impractical features could have evolved in "The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex". After revising "The Origin of Species" as the definitive 6th edition, his major works on species culminated in "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals". This period was followed by extensive work on insectivorous plants and research into worms. Despite Darwin's concerns that his children were weakened as his wife Emma Darwin was his cousin or had inherited
The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms went the less controversial direction of the lowly worm. His network of correspondents and fans responded to his interest and "earthworm anecdotes began surfacing in his mountain of mail". He had been interested in earthworms "since his first fishing days at The Mount and flirting days at Maer". Still, other work constrained him. Broken off from "Descent", he had to finish his next work "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals". By 1876, with his first grandson on the way, he felt his writing life was nearly over, with so much unfinished. He wanted to write on earthworms