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 viii
In the present volume I have attempted to supply this want ; and for my materials
have drawn chiefly on my own twelve years ' experience of the eastern and
western tropics of the equatorial zone , where the characteristic phenomena of ...
In the present volume I have attempted to supply this want ; and for my materials
have drawn chiefly on my own twelve years ' experience of the eastern and
western tropics of the equatorial zone , where the characteristic phenomena of ...
Page xi
I , THE CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUATORIAL ZONE . The
three Climatal Zones of the Earth— Temperature of the Equatorial Zone - Causes
of the Uniform High Temperature near the EquatorInfluence of the Heat of the ...
I , THE CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUATORIAL ZONE . The
three Climatal Zones of the Earth— Temperature of the Equatorial Zone - Causes
of the Uniform High Temperature near the EquatorInfluence of the Heat of the ...
Page 1
7 I. THE CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUATORIAL ZONE .
The three Climatal Zones of the Earth- Temperature of the Equatorial Zone --
Causes of the Uniform High Temperature near the Equator - Influence of the Heat
of the ...
7 I. THE CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE EQUATORIAL ZONE .
The three Climatal Zones of the Earth- Temperature of the Equatorial Zone --
Causes of the Uniform High Temperature near the Equator - Influence of the Heat
of the ...
Page 2
In the present chapter it is proposed to describe the chief peculiarities which
distinguish the equatorial from the temperate climate , and to explain the causes
of the difference between them , -causes which are by no means of so simple a ...
In the present chapter it is proposed to describe the chief peculiarities which
distinguish the equatorial from the temperate climate , and to explain the causes
of the difference between them , -causes which are by no means of so simple a ...
Page 3
Temperature of the Equatorial Zone . — The most characteristic , as it is the most
important feature in the physical conditions of the great equatorial zone is the
wonderful uniformity of its temperature , alike throughout the changes of day and
...
Temperature of the Equatorial Zone . — The most characteristic , as it is the most
important feature in the physical conditions of the great equatorial zone is the
wonderful uniformity of its temperature , alike throughout the changes of day 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 |