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 23
... of the equatorial zone the noonday sun is truly vertical twice every year , and
for several months it passes so near the zenith that the difference can hardly be
detected without careful observation of the very short shadows of vertical objects .
... of the equatorial zone the noonday sun is truly vertical twice every year , and
for several months it passes so near the zenith that the difference can hardly be
detected without careful observation of the very short shadows of vertical objects .
Page 70
We shall therefore follow no systematic order in our notes , except that which
would naturally arise from the abundance or prominence of the objects
themselves . We further suppose our traveller to have no prepossessions , and to
have no ...
We shall therefore follow no systematic order in our notes , except that which
would naturally arise from the abundance or prominence of the objects
themselves . We further suppose our traveller to have no prepossessions , and to
have no ...
Page 73
... and , as they usually keep near the ground and often rest , sometimes with
closed and sometimes with expanded wings , these noble insects really look
larger and are much more conspicuous objects than the majority of our native
birds .
... and , as they usually keep near the ground and often rest , sometimes with
closed and sometimes with expanded wings , these noble insects really look
larger and are much more conspicuous objects than the majority of our native
birds .
Page 106
... more instructive examples can be found than are exhibited in their beautifully -
coloured plates , of the endless ways in which the most glaring and inharmonious
colours are often combined in natural objects with a generally pleasing result .
... more instructive examples can be found than are exhibited in their beautifully -
coloured plates , of the endless ways in which the most glaring and inharmonious
colours are often combined in natural objects with a generally pleasing result .
Page 108
huge bills , as well as their habits of perching on the top of bare or isolated trees ,
render them very conspicuous objects . The Picariæ comprise many other
interesting families ; as , for example , the puff - birds , the todies , and the
humming ...
huge bills , as well as their habits of perching on the top of bare or isolated trees ,
render them very conspicuous objects . The Picariæ comprise many other
interesting families ; as , for example , the puff - birds , the todies , and the
humming ...
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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 |