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 12
... the atmosphere as westerly winds ; and this constant supply of cool air ,
combined with quick radiation through a dryer atmosphere , carries off the solar
heat so rapidly that an equilibrium is only reached at a comparatively low
temperature .
... the atmosphere as westerly winds ; and this constant supply of cool air ,
combined with quick radiation through a dryer atmosphere , carries off the solar
heat so rapidly that an equilibrium is only reached at a comparatively low
temperature .
Page 15
Yearly faz 78 inches 10 8 8 6 6 4 2 London , Mean of 1860 to 1865 . bearby tall ,
25 inches condensation of a large absolute quantity of atmospheric vapour , so
that copious dews and heavy showers of rain are produced at comparatively high
...
Yearly faz 78 inches 10 8 8 6 6 4 2 London , Mean of 1860 to 1865 . bearby tall ,
25 inches condensation of a large absolute quantity of atmospheric vapour , so
that copious dews and heavy showers of rain are produced at comparatively high
...
Page 29
... the southern hemisphere these are best seen in North America and Northern
Euro - Asia , where they form the great northern forests of deciduous trees and of
Coniferæ . These being comparatively wellknown to us , will form the standard by
...
... the southern hemisphere these are best seen in North America and Northern
Euro - Asia , where they form the great northern forests of deciduous trees and of
Coniferæ . These being comparatively wellknown to us , will form the standard by
...
Page 49
These singular plants , constituting the family Pandanaceæ of botanists , are very
abundant in many parts of the Eastern tropics , while they are comparatively
scarce in America . They somewhat resemble Yuccas , but have larger leaves
which ...
These singular plants , constituting the family Pandanaceæ of botanists , are very
abundant in many parts of the Eastern tropics , while they are comparatively
scarce in America . They somewhat resemble Yuccas , but have larger leaves
which ...
Page 51
... are the chief examples of orchidbeauty that have impressed themselves on the
memory of the present writer during twelve years ' wandering in tropical forests .
The last - named plant is unique among orchids , its comparatively small cluster ...
... are the chief examples of orchidbeauty that have impressed themselves on the
memory of the present writer during twelve years ' wandering in tropical forests .
The last - named plant is unique among orchids , its comparatively small cluster ...
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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 |