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 7
These very different effects , produced by the same amount of sun - heat poured
upon the earth in different latitudes is due to a combination of causes . The most
important of these are , probably , —the constant high temperature of the soil and
...
These very different effects , produced by the same amount of sun - heat poured
upon the earth in different latitudes is due to a combination of causes . The most
important of these are , probably , —the constant high temperature of the soil and
...
Page 8
... not less than from thirty to forty feet , and with us it is probably fifty or sixty feet ,
and the temperature found there is nearly forty degrees lower than at the equator
. This great body of cool earth absorbs a large portion of the surface heat during ...
... not less than from thirty to forty feet , and with us it is probably fifty or sixty feet ,
and the temperature found there is nearly forty degrees lower than at the equator
. This great body of cool earth absorbs a large portion of the surface heat during ...
Page 12
In the two months — March and October — when the winds are northerly , they
are very light , and are probably in great part local sea - breezes , which , from the
position of Batavia , must come from the north . As a rule , therefore , every ...
In the two months — March and October — when the winds are northerly , they
are very light , and are probably in great part local sea - breezes , which , from the
position of Batavia , must come from the north . As a rule , therefore , every ...
Page 13
It is therefore probably a cold mountain wind , and blowing as it does over a
continuous forest it has been unable to acquire the usual tropical warmth . The
cause of the striking contrast between the climates of equatorial and temperate
lands at ...
It is therefore probably a cold mountain wind , and blowing as it does over a
continuous forest it has been unable to acquire the usual tropical warmth . The
cause of the striking contrast between the climates of equatorial and temperate
lands at ...
Page 19
... to account for such an anomaly ; and there is probably no district where
judicious planting would produce such striking and beneficial effects . In Central
India the scanty and intermittent rainfall , with its fearful accompaniment of famine
, is no ...
... to account for such an anomaly ; and there is probably no district where
judicious planting would produce such striking and beneficial effects . In Central
India the scanty and intermittent rainfall , with its fearful accompaniment of famine
, is no ...
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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
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 |