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
In England the noonday sun in the month of June rarely inconveniences us or
produces any burning of the skin ; while in the tropics , at almost any hour of the
day , and when the sun has an elevation of only 40 ° or 50 ° , exposure to to it for
a ...
In England the noonday sun in the month of June rarely inconveniences us or
produces any burning of the skin ; while in the tropics , at almost any hour of the
day , and when the sun has an elevation of only 40 ° or 50 ° , exposure to to it for
a ...
Page 24
The wind - storms are rarely of excessive violence , as might in fact be inferred
from the extreme steadiness of the barometer , whose daily range at Batavia
rarely exceeds one - eighth of an inch , while the extreme range during three
years ...
The wind - storms are rarely of excessive violence , as might in fact be inferred
from the extreme steadiness of the barometer , whose daily range at Batavia
rarely exceeds one - eighth of an inch , while the extreme range during three
years ...
Page 30
Instead of endless repetitions of the same forms of trunk such as are to be seen in
our pine , or oak , or beech woods , the eye wanders from one tree to another and
rarely detects two of the same species . All are tall and upright columns , but ...
Instead of endless repetitions of the same forms of trunk such as are to be seen in
our pine , or oak , or beech woods , the eye wanders from one tree to another and
rarely detects two of the same species . All are tall and upright columns , but ...
Page 34
More frequently it is covered with a dense carpet of selaginella or other
lycopodiaceæ , and these sometimes give place to a variety of herbaceous plants
, sometimes with pretty , but rarely with very conspicuous flowers . Flowering
Trunks and ...
More frequently it is covered with a dense carpet of selaginella or other
lycopodiaceæ , and these sometimes give place to a variety of herbaceous plants
, sometimes with pretty , but rarely with very conspicuous flowers . Flowering
Trunks and ...
Page 38
In the shade of the forest they rarely or never flower , and seldom even produce
foliage ; but when they have reached the summit of the tree that supports them ,
they expand under the genial influence of light and air , and often cover their
foster ...
In the shade of the forest they rarely or never flower , and seldom even produce
foliage ; but when they have reached the summit of the tree that supports them ,
they expand under the genial influence of light and air , and often cover their
foster ...
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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 |