Tropical Nature, and Other EssaysSometimes referred to as 'the grand old man of science', Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was a naturalist, evolutionary theorist, and friend of Charles Darwin. In this study of tropical flora and fauna, he takes the reader on a tour of the equatorial forest belt - the almost continuous band of forest that stretches around the world between the tropics. There, chameleon-like caterpillars alter the colours of their cocoons, parasitical trees override their hosts with spectacular aerial root systems, and some of the most pressing questions of Victorian evolutionary science arise: how do animals and plants come to be brightly coloured? Can their adaptations provide clues about past geological eras? And was Darwin wholly correct in his theory of sexual selection? First published in 1878, Wallace's book is a skilfully written reflection of contemporary naturalism, still highly readable and relevant to students in the history of science. |
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Page x
tinguish certain male birds and insects , which is directly opposed to the view
held by Mr. Darwin and so well explained and illustrated in his great work on “
The Descent of Man and on Selection in Relation to Sex . ” Being strongly
impressed ...
tinguish certain male birds and insects , which is directly opposed to the view
held by Mr. Darwin and so well explained and illustrated in his great work on “
The Descent of Man and on Selection in Relation to Sex . ” Being strongly
impressed ...
Page 146
... chief peculiarities of the three allied species of humming - birds which inhabit
the Juan Fernandez group of islands , may be fairly traced to the action of those
general laws which Mr. Darwin and others have shown to determine the
variations ...
... chief peculiarities of the three allied species of humming - birds which inhabit
the Juan Fernandez group of islands , may be fairly traced to the action of those
general laws which Mr. Darwin and others have shown to determine the
variations ...
Page 164
dull and sombre tints in birds , insects , and flowers , so that they reminded Mr.
Darwin of the cold and barren plains of Patagonia rather than of any tropical
country . Insects are wonderfully brilliant in tropical countries generally ; and any
one ...
dull and sombre tints in birds , insects , and flowers , so that they reminded Mr.
Darwin of the cold and barren plains of Patagonia rather than of any tropical
country . Insects are wonderfully brilliant in tropical countries generally ; and any
one ...
Page 178
... the female , a similar change of colour to that in the small parrot above referred
to . For fuller details of the varieties of sexual coloration we . use . refer our
readers to Mr. Darwin's Descent of 178 TROPICAL NATURE , AND OTHER
ESSAYS .
... the female , a similar change of colour to that in the small parrot above referred
to . For fuller details of the varieties of sexual coloration we . use . refer our
readers to Mr. Darwin's Descent of 178 TROPICAL NATURE , AND OTHER
ESSAYS .
Page 193
I have long held this portion of Mr. Darwin's theory to be erroneous ; and have
argued that the primary cause of sexual diversity of colour was the need of
protection , repressing in the female those bright colours which are normally
produced in ...
I have long held this portion of Mr. Darwin's theory to be erroneous ; and have
argued that the primary cause of sexual diversity of colour was the need of
protection , repressing in the female those bright colours which are normally
produced in ...
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Common terms and phrases
abundant adapted Africa allied America animals ants appear attract beautiful become believe birds blue butterflies causes changes character characteristic climate closely colour comparatively completely consider considerable conspicuous continent curious Darwin direct distinct distribution effect equally equatorial evidence existence extensive extreme fact families feet female fertilization flowers foliage forests fruits genera give greater green ground groups habits heat humming-birds important increase inhabit insects islands kinds known land larger leaves less light living male marked mass means nature North objects observed occur organic ornaments peculiar perhaps period plants possess present probably produced proportion protection rarely rays region relation remains remarkable resemble seems seen selection sometimes South species structure surface temperate temperature theory tints trees tropical types usually variation varied variety various vegetation whole wings yellow zone
Bibliographic information
| Title | Tropical Nature, and Other Essays Marilee E. Thomas and Robert C. Thomas Science and Related Subjects Collection |
| Author | Alfred Russel Wallace |
| Publisher | Macmillan and Company, 1878 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 23 veeb. 2009 |
| Length | 356 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |