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
... of the special ornaments and brilliant hues which distinguish certain male birds
and insects , which is directly opposed PREFACE . ix.
... of the special ornaments and brilliant hues which distinguish certain male birds
and insects , which is directly opposed PREFACE . ix.
Page x
tinguish certain male birds and insects , which is directly opposed to the view
held by Mr. Darwin and so well explained and illustrated in his great work on “
The Descent of Man and on Selection in Relation to Sex . ” Being strongly
impressed ...
tinguish certain male birds and insects , which is directly opposed to the view
held by Mr. Darwin and so well explained and illustrated in his great work on “
The Descent of Man and on Selection in Relation to Sex . ” Being strongly
impressed ...
Page xi
... Relations between Ants and Vegetation - Wasps and Bees - Orthoptera and
other InsectsBeetles - Wingless Insects -- General Observations on Tropical
Insects— Birds — Parrots -- Pigeons - Picariæ -- Cuckoos - Trogons , Barbets ,
Toucans ...
... Relations between Ants and Vegetation - Wasps and Bees - Orthoptera and
other InsectsBeetles - Wingless Insects -- General Observations on Tropical
Insects— Birds — Parrots -- Pigeons - Picariæ -- Cuckoos - Trogons , Barbets ,
Toucans ...
Page xii
... 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 Insects -- Origin of the
Ornamental ...
... 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 Insects -- Origin of the
Ornamental ...
Page 35
The recent discoveries as to the important part played by insects in the
fertilization of flowers offers a very probable explanation of this peculiarity . Bees
and butterflies are the greatest flower - haunters . The former love the sun and
frequent ...
The recent discoveries as to the important part played by insects in the
fertilization of flowers offers a very probable explanation of this peculiarity . Bees
and butterflies are the greatest flower - haunters . The former love the sun and
frequent ...
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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 |