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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 22
Page 1
... summer , and autumn , succeeded by the leafless boughs of winter , are
constantly recurring phenomena which represent to us the established course of
nature . At the equator none of these changes occur ; there is a perpetual
equinox and ...
... summer , and autumn , succeeded by the leafless boughs of winter , are
constantly recurring phenomena which represent to us the established course of
nature . At the equator none of these changes occur ; there is a perpetual
equinox and ...
Page 16
Evaporation occurs chiefly during the hottest sunshine , when it tends to
moderate the extreme heat , while condensation takes place chiefly at night in the
form of dew and rain , when the liberated heat helps to make up for the loss of the
direct ...
Evaporation occurs chiefly during the hottest sunshine , when it tends to
moderate the extreme heat , while condensation takes place chiefly at night in the
form of dew and rain , when the liberated heat helps to make up for the loss of the
direct ...
Page 24
The amount of the rainfall is very great , seventy or eighty inches in a year being
a probable average ; and as the larger part of this occurs during three or four
months , individual rainfalls are often exceedingly heavy . The greatest fall
recorded ...
The amount of the rainfall is very great , seventy or eighty inches in a year being
a probable average ; and as the larger part of this occurs during three or four
months , individual rainfalls are often exceedingly heavy . The greatest fall
recorded ...
Page 47
Many species occur wild in the forests ; all have majestic foliage and handsome
flowers , while some produce edible fruit . Of the ginger - worts ( Zingiberaceæ
and Marantaceæ ) , the well known cannas of our tropical gardens may be taken
as ...
Many species occur wild in the forests ; all have majestic foliage and handsome
flowers , while some produce edible fruit . Of the ginger - worts ( Zingiberaceæ
and Marantaceæ ) , the well known cannas of our tropical gardens may be taken
as ...
Page 74
Tailed hind - wings occur in almost all the families , but vary much in character . In
some the tails are broadly spoon - shaped , in others long and pointed . Many
have double or triple tails , and some of the smaller species have them
immensely ...
Tailed hind - wings occur in almost all the families , but vary much in character . In
some the tails are broadly spoon - shaped , in others long and pointed . Many
have double or triple tails , and some of the smaller species have them
immensely ...
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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 |