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 xii
... Colour proportionate to Integumentary Development - Selection by Females
not a Cause of Colour — Probable Use of the Horns of Beetles - Cause of the
greater Brilliancy of some Female Insects -- Origin of the Ornamental Plumage of
...
... Colour proportionate to Integumentary Development - Selection by Females
not a Cause of Colour — Probable Use of the Horns of Beetles - Cause of the
greater Brilliancy of some Female Insects -- Origin of the Ornamental Plumage of
...
Page xii
... Colours — Colour as a Means of Recognition — Colour proportionate to
Integumentary Development — Selection by Females not a Cause of Colour —
Probable Use of the Horns of Beetles — Cause of the greater Brilliancy of some
Female ...
... Colours — Colour as a Means of Recognition — Colour proportionate to
Integumentary Development — Selection by Females not a Cause of Colour —
Probable Use of the Horns of Beetles — Cause of the greater Brilliancy of some
Female ...
Page 134
... crested head , or glittering back , are thus exhibited ; but almost the only actual
observation of this kind is that of Mr. Belt , who describes how two males of the
Florisuga mellivora displayed their ornaments before a female bird . One would ...
... crested head , or glittering back , are thus exhibited ; but almost the only actual
observation of this kind is that of Mr. Belt , who describes how two males of the
Florisuga mellivora displayed their ornaments before a female bird . One would ...
Page 141
both sexes , whereas in the two species peculiar to the islands the males are red
or reddish - brown , and the females ... that the female in the smaller and more
distant island somewhat resembles the same sex in Chili , while the female of the
...
both sexes , whereas in the two species peculiar to the islands the males are red
or reddish - brown , and the females ... that the female in the smaller and more
distant island somewhat resembles the same sex in Chili , while the female of the
...
Page 142
so in the female , a further emigration westward took place to the small island
Mas - afuera , where they also established themselves . Here , however , the
change begun in the larger island appears to have been checked , for the female
...
so in the female , a further emigration westward took place to the small island
Mas - afuera , where they also established themselves . Here , however , the
change begun in the larger island appears to have been checked , for the female
...
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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 |