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 20
... destruction of property which human labour has produced and can replace ;
yet we ignorantly allow such extensive clearings for coffee cultivation in India and
Ceylon , as to cause the destruction of much fertile soil which generations cannot
...
... destruction of property which human labour has produced and can replace ;
yet we ignorantly allow such extensive clearings for coffee cultivation in India and
Ceylon , as to cause the destruction of much fertile soil which generations cannot
...
Page 69
... of the more important and characteristic types of animal life are restricted to
one only out of the three great divisions of equatorial land , that they can hardly
be claimed as characteristically tropical ; while the more extensive zoological
groups ...
... of the more important and characteristic types of animal life are restricted to
one only out of the three great divisions of equatorial land , that they can hardly
be claimed as characteristically tropical ; while the more extensive zoological
groups ...
Page 71
The region is so extensive , and uniform in the forest clothing of its surface , that it
is only at long intervals that animals are seen in abundance , where some
particular spot is found which is more attractive than others . Brazil , moreover , is
...
The region is so extensive , and uniform in the forest clothing of its surface , that it
is only at long intervals that animals are seen in abundance , where some
particular spot is found which is more attractive than others . Brazil , moreover , is
...
Page 76
As regards the mode of flight , the extensive and almost exclusively tropical
families of Heliconidæ and Danaidæ , fly very slowly , with a gentle undulating or
floating motion which is almost peculiar to them . Many of the strong - bodied ...
As regards the mode of flight , the extensive and almost exclusively tropical
families of Heliconidæ and Danaidæ , fly very slowly , with a gentle undulating or
floating motion which is almost peculiar to them . Many of the strong - bodied ...
Page 85
It forms extensive underground galleries , and the earth brought up is deposited
on the surface , forming huge mounds sometimes thirty or forty yards in
circumference , and from one to three feet high . On first seeing these vast
deposits of red ...
It forms extensive underground galleries , and the earth brought up is deposited
on the surface , forming huge mounds sometimes thirty or forty yards in
circumference , and from one to three feet high . On first seeing these vast
deposits of red ...
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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 |