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
Results 1-5 of 47
Page 22
For the next quarter of an hour this changes very little in character ; when ,
suddenly , the sun's rim appears above the horizon , decking the dew - laden
foliage with glittering gems , sending gleams of golden light far into the woods ,
and ...
For the next quarter of an hour this changes very little in character ; when ,
suddenly , the sun's rim appears above the horizon , decking the dew - laden
foliage with glittering gems , sending gleams of golden light far into the woods ,
and ...
Page 25
At that early period of the day ( the first two hours after sunrise ) the sky was
invariably cloudless , the thermometer marking 72 ° or 73 ° Fahr .; the heavy dew
or the previous night's rain , which lay on the moist foliage , becoming quickly ...
At that early period of the day ( the first two hours after sunrise ) the sky was
invariably cloudless , the thermometer marking 72 ° or 73 ° Fahr .; the heavy dew
or the previous night's rain , which lay on the moist foliage , becoming quickly ...
Page 30
Overhead , at a height , perhaps , of a hundred feet , is an almost unbroken
canopy of foliage formed by the meeting together of these great trees and their
interlacing branches ; and this canopy is usually so dense that but an indistinct
glimmer ...
Overhead , at a height , perhaps , of a hundred feet , is an almost unbroken
canopy of foliage formed by the meeting together of these great trees and their
interlacing branches ; and this canopy is usually so dense that but an indistinct
glimmer ...
Page 31
Their use is evidently to give the tree an extended base , and so assist the
subterranean roots in maintaining in an erect position so lofty a column crowned
by a broad and massive head of branches and foliage . The buttressed trees
belong to ...
Their use is evidently to give the tree an extended base , and so assist the
subterranean roots in maintaining in an erect position so lofty a column crowned
by a broad and massive head of branches and foliage . The buttressed trees
belong to ...
Page 33
Spined or prickly trunks ( except of palms ) are rare in the damp equatorial forests
. Turning our gaze upwards from the stems to the foliage , we find two types of
leaf not common in the temperate zone , although the great mass of the trees ...
Spined or prickly trunks ( except of palms ) are rare in the damp equatorial forests
. Turning our gaze upwards from the stems to the foliage , we find two types of
leaf not common in the temperate zone , although the great mass of the trees ...
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
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 |