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 xi
Difficulties of the Subject - General Aspect of the Animal Life of Equatorial Forests
- Diurnal Lepidoptera or Butterflies - Peculiar Habits of Tropical Butterflies - Ants ,
Wasps , and Bees - Ants - Special Relations between Ants and Vegetation ...
Difficulties of the Subject - General Aspect of the Animal Life of Equatorial Forests
- Diurnal Lepidoptera or Butterflies - Peculiar Habits of Tropical Butterflies - Ants ,
Wasps , and Bees - Ants - Special Relations between Ants and Vegetation ...
Page 22
A little later the melancholy voices of the goatsuckers are heard , varied
croakings of frogs , the plaintive whistle of mountain thrushes , and strange cries
of birds or mammals peculiar to each locality . About half - past five the first
glimmer of ...
A little later the melancholy voices of the goatsuckers are heard , varied
croakings of frogs , the plaintive whistle of mountain thrushes , and strange cries
of birds or mammals peculiar to each locality . About half - past five the first
glimmer of ...
Page 27
... but merely to describe those general features of vegetation which are almost or
quite peculiar to this region of the globe , and which are so general as to be
characteristic of the greater part of it rather than of any particular country or
continent ...
... but merely to describe those general features of vegetation which are almost or
quite peculiar to this region of the globe , and which are so general as to be
characteristic of the greater part of it rather than of any particular country or
continent ...
Page 32
This peculiar form is probably produced by the downward growth of aerial roots ,
like some New Zealand trees whose growth has been traced , and of whose
different stages drawings may be seen at the Library of the Linnean Society .
This peculiar form is probably produced by the downward growth of aerial roots ,
like some New Zealand trees whose growth has been traced , and of whose
different stages drawings may be seen at the Library of the Linnean Society .
Page 33
The majority are rather smooth - barked , and many are of peculiar whitish , green
, yellowish , or brown colours , or occasionally nearly black . Some are perfectly
smooth , others deeply cracked and furrowed , while in a considerable number ...
The majority are rather smooth - barked , and many are of peculiar whitish , green
, yellowish , or brown colours , or occasionally nearly black . Some are perfectly
smooth , others deeply cracked and furrowed , while in a considerable number ...
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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 |