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 ix
... while the essay on “ Distribution of Animals and Geographical Changes , ”
elucidates the relations of the several continents in past time , and the probable
origin of many of the groups now characteristic of tropical or of temperate regions
.
... while the essay on “ Distribution of Animals and Geographical Changes , ”
elucidates the relations of the several continents in past time , and the probable
origin of many of the groups now characteristic of tropical or of temperate regions
.
Page 31
... 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 a variety of distinct groups .
... 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 a variety of distinct groups .
Page 35
If they grew in the usual way on the tops of these smaller trees overshadowed by
the dense canopy above them they would be out of sight of both groups of insects
, but being placed openly on the stems , and in the greatest profusion , they ...
If they grew in the usual way on the tops of these smaller trees overshadowed by
the dense canopy above them they would be out of sight of both groups of insects
, but being placed openly on the stems , and in the greatest profusion , they ...
Page 42
The rattan - palms are the largest and most remarkable of the climbing group .
They are very abundant in the drier equatorial forests , and more than sixty
species are known from the Malay Archipelago . The stems ( when cleaned from
the ...
The rattan - palms are the largest and most remarkable of the climbing group .
They are very abundant in the drier equatorial forests , and more than sixty
species are known from the Malay Archipelago . The stems ( when cleaned from
the ...
Page 46
Some are as small as mosses , others have huge fronds eight or ten feet long ,
while in mountainous districts the most elegant of the group , the tree - ferns ,
bear their graceful crowns on slender 46 TROPICAL NATURE , AND OTHER ...
Some are as small as mosses , others have huge fronds eight or ten feet long ,
while in mountainous districts the most elegant of the group , the tree - ferns ,
bear their graceful crowns on slender 46 TROPICAL NATURE , AND OTHER ...
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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 |