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 3
In the debateable ground between these two well contrasted belts local causes
have a preponderating influence ; and it would not be difficult to point out
localities within the temperate zone of our maps , which exhibit all the chief ...
In the debateable ground between these two well contrasted belts local causes
have a preponderating influence ; and it would not be difficult to point out
localities within the temperate zone of our maps , which exhibit all the chief ...
Page 30
... and their interlacing branches ; and this canopy is usually so dense that but an
indistinct glimmer of the sky is to be seen , and even the intense tropical sunlight
only penetrates to the ground subdued and broken up into scattered fragments .
... and their interlacing branches ; and this canopy is usually so dense that but an
indistinct glimmer of the sky is to be seen , and even the intense tropical sunlight
only penetrates to the ground subdued and broken up into scattered fragments .
Page 31
Some are almost cylindrical , rising up out of the ground as if their bases were
concealed by accumulations of the soil ; others get much thicker near the ground
like our spreading oaks ; others again , and these are very characteristic , send
out ...
Some are almost cylindrical , rising up out of the ground as if their bases were
concealed by accumulations of the soil ; others get much thicker near the ground
like our spreading oaks ; others again , and these are very characteristic , send
out ...
Page 32
Section at seven feet from the ground . 2. 3. Sections much higher up . forest -
tree , more than 200 feet high , but rather slender in proportion , and it was by no
means an extreme example of its class . This peculiar form is probably produced
by ...
Section at seven feet from the ground . 2. 3. Sections much higher up . forest -
tree , more than 200 feet high , but rather slender in proportion , and it was by no
means an extreme example of its class . This peculiar form is probably produced
by ...
Page 34
Yet beneath this second set of mediumsized forest - trees there is often a third
undergrowth of small trees , from six to ten feet high , of dwarf palms , of tree -
ferns , and of gigantic herbaceous ferns . Coming to the surface of the ground
itself we ...
Yet beneath this second set of mediumsized forest - trees there is often a third
undergrowth of small trees , from six to ten feet high , of dwarf palms , of tree -
ferns , and of gigantic herbaceous ferns . Coming to the surface of the ground
itself we ...
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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 |