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. |
From inside the book
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Page 23
The absence of distinct horizontal shadows at noon which thus characterises a
considerable part of the year , is itself a striking phenomenon to an inhabitant of
the temperate zones ; and equally striking is the changed aspect of the starry ...
The absence of distinct horizontal shadows at noon which thus characterises a
considerable part of the year , is itself a striking phenomenon to an inhabitant of
the temperate zones ; and equally striking is the changed aspect of the starry ...
Page 29
Here it sucks up whatever moisture it meets with and thus tends to keep this zone
in an arid condition . The trades themselves are believed to be supplied by
descending currents from the temperate zones , and these are at first equally dry
and ...
Here it sucks up whatever moisture it meets with and thus tends to keep this zone
in an arid condition . The trades themselves are believed to be supplied by
descending currents from the temperate zones , and these are at first equally dry
and ...
Page 33
131 ) —and the equally remarkable fig - trees of various species , whose trunks
are formed by a miniature forest of aerial roots , sometimes separate , sometimes
matted together , are characteristic of the Eastern tropics , but appear to be rare ...
131 ) —and the equally remarkable fig - trees of various species , whose trunks
are formed by a miniature forest of aerial roots , sometimes separate , sometimes
matted together , are characteristic of the Eastern tropics , but appear to be rare ...
Page 69
... have a wide range in the tropics and do not equally abound in the temperate
zones , are few in number , and often include such a diversity of forms , structures
, and habits , as to render.
... have a wide range in the tropics and do not equally abound in the temperate
zones , are few in number , and often include such a diversity of forms , structures
, and habits , as to render.
Page 72
With a few verbal alterations these remarks will apply equally to the primeval
forests of the Malay Archipelago ; and it is probable that those of West Africa offer
no important differences in this respect . There is , nevertheless , one form of life ...
With a few verbal alterations these remarks will apply equally to the primeval
forests of the Malay Archipelago ; and it is probable that those of West Africa offer
no important differences in this respect . There is , nevertheless , one form of life ...
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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 |