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 xiii
... VIEWS AS TO THE ANTIQUITY AND ORIGIN OF MAN - Indications of Man's
Extreme Antiquity - Antiquity of Intellectual ManSculptures on Easter - Island -
North American Earthworks — The Great Pyramid - Conclusion pages 249–303
VIII .
... VIEWS AS TO THE ANTIQUITY AND ORIGIN OF MAN - Indications of Man's
Extreme Antiquity - Antiquity of Intellectual ManSculptures on Easter - Island -
North American Earthworks — The Great Pyramid - Conclusion pages 249–303
VIII .
Page 2
... in the quantity of rain , in the direction and strength of the winds , and in the
amount of sunshine , accompanied by corresponding slight changes in the
development of vegetable and animal life , the monotony of nature would be
extreme .
... in the quantity of rain , in the direction and strength of the winds , and in the
amount of sunshine , accompanied by corresponding slight changes in the
development of vegetable and animal life , the monotony of nature would be
extreme .
Page 4
It has been found by hourly observations carried on for three years at the
meteorological observatory established by the Dutch government at Batavia , that
the extreme range of temperature in that period was only 27 ° Fahr . , the
maximum ...
It has been found by hourly observations carried on for three years at the
meteorological observatory established by the Dutch government at Batavia , that
the extreme range of temperature in that period was only 27 ° Fahr . , the
maximum ...
Page 10
... of heat is far beyond anything experienced near the equator , yet , owing to the
extreme dryness of the atmosphere , the clear nights are very cold , radiation
being sometimes so rapid that water placed in shallow pans becomes frozen
over .
... of heat is far beyond anything experienced near the equator , yet , owing to the
extreme dryness of the atmosphere , the clear nights are very cold , radiation
being sometimes so rapid that water placed in shallow pans becomes frozen
over .
Page 16
Evaporation occurs chiefly during the hottest sunshine , when it tends to
moderate the extreme heat , while condensation takes place chiefly at night in the
form of dew and rain , when the liberated heat helps to make up for the loss of the
direct ...
Evaporation occurs chiefly during the hottest sunshine , when it tends to
moderate the extreme heat , while condensation takes place chiefly at night in the
form of dew and rain , when the liberated heat helps to make up for the loss of the
direct ...
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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 |