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
... and from a few other correspondents , I have made considerable additions to
the original essay and have rearranged , and I trust strengthened the argument ,
which I now hope may attract the attention of all who are interested in the subject
.
... and from a few other correspondents , I have made considerable additions to
the original essay and have rearranged , and I trust strengthened the argument ,
which I now hope may attract the attention of all who are interested in the subject
.
Page 35
To attract these it ... by the dense canopy above them they would be out of sight
of both groups of insects , but being placed openly on the stems , and in the
greatest profusion , they cannot fail to attract the attention of the wandering
butterflies .
To attract these it ... by the dense canopy above them they would be out of sight
of both groups of insects , but being placed openly on the stems , and in the
greatest profusion , they cannot fail to attract the attention of the wandering
butterflies .
Page 58
Among the forms of plants which are sure to attract attention in the tropics are the
mangroves , which grow between tide - marks on coasts and estuaries . These
are low trees with widely - spreading branches and a network of aerial roots a
few ...
Among the forms of plants which are sure to attract attention in the tropics are the
mangroves , which grow between tide - marks on coasts and estuaries . These
are low trees with widely - spreading branches and a network of aerial roots a
few ...
Page 59
Among the more humble forms of vegetation that attract the traveller's notice
none are more interesting than the sensitive species of Mimosa . These are all
natives of South America , but one species , Mimosa pudica , has spread to Africa
and ...
Among the more humble forms of vegetation that attract the traveller's notice
none are more interesting than the sensitive species of Mimosa . These are all
natives of South America , but one species , Mimosa pudica , has spread to Africa
and ...
Page 62
But even in such favourable situations it is not the abundance and beauty of the
flowers but the luxuriance and the freshness of the foliage , and the grace and
infinite variety of the forms of vegetation , that will most attract the attention and ...
But even in such favourable situations it is not the abundance and beauty of the
flowers but the luxuriance and the freshness of the foliage , and the grace and
infinite variety of the forms of vegetation , that will most attract the attention and ...
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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 |