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 vii
Each strange and beautiful object has been described in detail ; and both the
scenery and the natural phenomena of the tropics have been depicted by master
hands and with glowing colours . But , so far as I am aware , no one has yet ...
Each strange and beautiful object has been described in detail ; and both the
scenery and the natural phenomena of the tropics have been depicted by master
hands and with glowing colours . But , so far as I am aware , no one has yet ...
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 35
One of the most beautiful examples of this mode of flowering is a small tree of the
genus Polyalthea , belonging to the family of the custard - apples , not uncommon
in the forests of Northwestern Borneo . Its slender trunk , about fifteen or twenty ...
One of the most beautiful examples of this mode of flowering is a small tree of the
genus Polyalthea , belonging to the family of the custard - apples , not uncommon
in the forests of Northwestern Borneo . Its slender trunk , about fifteen or twenty ...
Page 46
... are applied in various parts of the world might occupy a volume ; but the
preceding sketch will serve to give an idea of how important a part is filled by this
noble family of plants , whether we regard them as a portion of the beautiful
vegetation ...
... are applied in various parts of the world might occupy a volume ; but the
preceding sketch will serve to give an idea of how important a part is filled by this
noble family of plants , whether we regard them as a portion of the beautiful
vegetation ...
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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 |