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 21
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 xii
Structure - Colours and Ornaments — Descriptive Names — The Motions and
Habits of Humming - Birds - Display of Ornaments by the Male - Food --
Geographical Distribution and Variation - Humming - Birds of Juan Fernandez as
illustrating ...
Structure - Colours and Ornaments — Descriptive Names — The Motions and
Habits of Humming - Birds - Display of Ornaments by the Male - Food --
Geographical Distribution and Variation - Humming - Birds of Juan Fernandez as
illustrating ...
Page xii
Structure — Colours and Ornaments — Descriptive Names — The Motions and
Habits of Humming-Birds — Display of Ornaments by the Male — Food —
Geographical Distribution and Variation — Humming-Birds of Juan Fernandez as
...
Structure — Colours and Ornaments — Descriptive Names — The Motions and
Habits of Humming-Birds — Display of Ornaments by the Male — Food —
Geographical Distribution and Variation — Humming-Birds of Juan Fernandez as
...
Page 36
The wood of some is light and soft , and is used for floats or for carving out rude
images , stools , and ornaments for boats and houses . The flat slabs of the
buttresses are often used to make paddles . Some of the trees with furrowed
stems are ...
The wood of some is light and soft , and is used for floats or for carving out rude
images , stools , and ornaments for boats and houses . The flat slabs of the
buttresses are often used to make paddles . Some of the trees with furrowed
stems are ...
Page 47
... said to have produced 300 species . Ginger - worts and wild Bananas . —
These plants , forming the families Zingiberace¿ and Musace¿ of botanists , are
very conspicuous ornaments of the equatorial forests , on account of their large
size ...
... said to have produced 300 species . Ginger - worts and wild Bananas . —
These plants , forming the families Zingiberace¿ and Musace¿ of botanists , are
very conspicuous ornaments of the equatorial forests , on account of their large
size ...
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
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 |