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 remaining chapters have all a more or less direct connection with the leading
subject . 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 ...
The remaining chapters have all a more or less direct connection with the leading
subject . 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 ...
Page xii
... and their Geographical Distribution - Recent Views as to the Direct Action of
Light on the Colours of Flowers and Fruits — Concluding Remarks on the
Importance of Colour in the Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR -
SENSE .
... and their Geographical Distribution - Recent Views as to the Direct Action of
Light on the Colours of Flowers and Fruits — Concluding Remarks on the
Importance of Colour in the Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR -
SENSE .
Page xii
... and their Geographical Distribution — Recent Views as to the Direct Action of
Light on the Colours of Flowers and Fruits — Concluding Remarks on the
Importance of Colour in the Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR-
SENSE.
... and their Geographical Distribution — Recent Views as to the Direct Action of
Light on the Colours of Flowers and Fruits — Concluding Remarks on the
Importance of Colour in the Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR-
SENSE.
Page 7
There is another important difference between the temperate and tropical zones ,
in the direct heating effect of the sun's rays independently of altitude . In England
the noonday sun in the month of June rarely inconveniences us or produces ...
There is another important difference between the temperate and tropical zones ,
in the direct heating effect of the sun's rays independently of altitude . In England
the noonday sun in the month of June rarely inconveniences us or produces ...
Page 11
... great extent of the heated surface of the globe . The causes that produce the
westerly monsoons act in a similar manner , so that on the equator direct north or
south winds , except as local land and sea breezes INFLUENCE OF WINDS . 11.
... great extent of the heated surface of the globe . The causes that produce the
westerly monsoons act in a similar manner , so that on the equator direct north or
south winds , except as local land and sea breezes INFLUENCE OF WINDS . 11.
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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 |