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 ix
The family of humming - birds is taken as an illustration of the luxuriant
development of allied forms in the tropics , and as showing the special mode in
which natural selection has acted to bring about considerable changes in a
limited period .
The family of humming - birds is taken as an illustration of the luxuriant
development of allied forms in the tropics , and as showing the special mode in
which natural selection has acted to bring about considerable changes in a
limited period .
Page xii
... Attractive Grouping in Flowers — Why Alpine Flowers are so Beautiful — Why
Allied Species of Flowers differ in Size and BeautyAbsence of Colours in Wind -
fertilized Flowers — The same Theory of Colour applicable to Animals and Plants
...
... Attractive Grouping in Flowers — Why Alpine Flowers are so Beautiful — Why
Allied Species of Flowers differ in Size and BeautyAbsence of Colours in Wind -
fertilized Flowers — The same Theory of Colour applicable to Animals and Plants
...
Page xii
... Seeds how Protected — Attractive Colours of Flowers— Attractive Odours in
Flowers — Attractive Grouping in Flowers — Why Alpine Flowers are so Beautiful
— Why Allied Species of Flowers differ in Size and Beauty — Absence of Colours
...
... Seeds how Protected — Attractive Colours of Flowers— Attractive Odours in
Flowers — Attractive Grouping in Flowers — Why Alpine Flowers are so Beautiful
— Why Allied Species of Flowers differ in Size and Beauty — Absence of Colours
...
Page 83
I was myself stung by this or an allied species when walking barefoot in the forest
on the Upper Rio Negro . It caused such pain and swelling of the leg that I had
some difficulty in reaching home , and was confined to my room for two days .
I was myself stung by this or an allied species when walking barefoot in the forest
on the Upper Rio Negro . It caused such pain and swelling of the leg that I had
some difficulty in reaching home , and was confined to my room for two days .
Page 84
An allied Solenopsis , consists of red ants , which , in the Moluccas , frequent
houses , and are a most terrible pest . They form colonies underground , and
work their way up through the floors , devouring everything eatable . Their sting is
...
An allied Solenopsis , consists of red ants , which , in the Moluccas , frequent
houses , and are a most terrible pest . They form colonies underground , and
work their way up through the floors , devouring everything eatable . Their sting is
...
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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 |