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
... THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR - SENSE .-- Supposed Increase of Colour -
perception within the Historical Period - Concluding Remarks on the Colour -
sense pages 221-248 VII . BY - PATHS IN THE DOMAIN OF BIOLOGY xii
CONTENTS.
... THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR - SENSE .-- Supposed Increase of Colour -
perception within the Historical Period - Concluding Remarks on the Colour -
sense pages 221-248 VII . BY - PATHS IN THE DOMAIN OF BIOLOGY xii
CONTENTS.
Page xii
... Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR-SENSE. — Supposed
Increase of Colour-perception within the Historical Period — Concluding
Remarks on the Colour-sense p«gu 221—248 VII. BY-PATHS IN THE DOMAIN
OF BIOLOGY.
... Organic World — THE ORIGIN OF THE COLOUR-SENSE. — Supposed
Increase of Colour-perception within the Historical Period — Concluding
Remarks on the Colour-sense p«gu 221—248 VII. BY-PATHS IN THE DOMAIN
OF BIOLOGY.
Page 7
therefore conclude that other agencies are at work which often completely
neutralise the effect which increased altitude ... as it is at first sight inexplicable ,
for it is not accompanied by any extraordinary increase in the temperature of the
air .
therefore conclude that other agencies are at work which often completely
neutralise the effect which increased altitude ... as it is at first sight inexplicable ,
for it is not accompanied by any extraordinary increase in the temperature of the
air .
Page 14
day , till the increased pressure caused the leakage to increase so as exactly to
balance the supply ; while in the other the water will sink till the decreasing
pressure causes the leakage to decrease so as to balance the supply , when
both will ...
day , till the increased pressure caused the leakage to increase so as exactly to
balance the supply ; while in the other the water will sink till the decreasing
pressure causes the leakage to decrease so as to balance the supply , when
both will ...
Page 15
... absolute quantity of atmospheric vapour , so that copious dews and heavy
showers of rain are produced at comparatively high temperatures and low
altitudes . The drops of rain rapidly increase in RAINFALL AT LONDON AND
BATAVIA .
... absolute quantity of atmospheric vapour , so that copious dews and heavy
showers of rain are produced at comparatively high temperatures and low
altitudes . The drops of rain rapidly increase in RAINFALL AT LONDON AND
BATAVIA .
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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 |