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 xiii
Old Opinions on Continental Changes — Theory of Oceanic Islands - Present
and Past Distribution of Land and Sea - Zoological Regions — The Palæarctic
Region - The Ethiopian Region - The Oriental Region -- Past changes of the
Great ...
Old Opinions on Continental Changes — Theory of Oceanic Islands - Present
and Past Distribution of Land and Sea - Zoological Regions — The Palæarctic
Region - The Ethiopian Region - The Oriental Region -- Past changes of the
Great ...
Page 12
Whenever , as is sometimes the case , exceptional cold occurs near the equator ,
it can almost always be traced to the influence of currents of air of unusually low
temperature . Thus in July near the Aru islands , the writer experienced a strong ...
Whenever , as is sometimes the case , exceptional cold occurs near the equator ,
it can almost always be traced to the influence of currents of air of unusually low
temperature . Thus in July near the Aru islands , the writer experienced a strong ...
Page 49
... which send out aerial roots ; others are stemless , consisting of an immense
spiral cluster of stiff leaves ten or twelve feet long and only two or three inches
wide . They abound most in sandy islands , while the larger species grow in
swampy ...
... which send out aerial roots ; others are stemless , consisting of an immense
spiral cluster of stiff leaves ten or twelve feet long and only two or three inches
wide . They abound most in sandy islands , while the larger species grow in
swampy ...
Page 61
My own observations in the Aru Islands for six months , and in Borneo for more
than a year , while living almost wholly in the forests , are quite in accordance
with this view . Conspicuous masses of showy flowers are so rare , that weeks
and ...
My own observations in the Aru Islands for six months , and in Borneo for more
than a year , while living almost wholly in the forests , are quite in accordance
with this view . Conspicuous masses of showy flowers are so rare , that weeks
and ...
Page 73
... adorn the beach of the Ké and Aru islands , can never be forgotten by any one
with a feeling of admiration for the new and beautiful in nature . Next to the size ,
the infinitely varied and dazzling hues of these insects most attract the observer .
... adorn the beach of the Ké and Aru islands , can never be forgotten by any one
with a feeling of admiration for the new and beautiful in nature . Next to the size ,
the infinitely varied and dazzling hues of these insects most attract the observer .
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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