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 viii
... questions as to the past history of the earth , that the present inquiry may be
considered a necessary preliminary to a study of the problem - how to determine
the climates of geologic periods from the character of their organic remains .
... questions as to the past history of the earth , that the present inquiry may be
considered a necessary preliminary to a study of the problem - how to determine
the climates of geologic periods from the character of their organic remains .
Page 38
In time the old tree rots entirely away and the creeper remains tangled on the
ground . Sometimes branches only fall and carry a portion of the creeper tightly
stretched to an adjoining tree ; at other times the whole tree is arrested by a ...
In time the old tree rots entirely away and the creeper remains tangled on the
ground . Sometimes branches only fall and carry a portion of the creeper tightly
stretched to an adjoining tree ; at other times the whole tree is arrested by a ...
Page 72
Wherever in the equatorial zone a considerable extent of the primeval forest
remains , the observer can hardly fail to be struck by the abundance and the
conspicuous beauty of the butterflies . Not only are they abundant in individuals ,
but their ...
Wherever in the equatorial zone a considerable extent of the primeval forest
remains , the observer can hardly fail to be struck by the abundance and the
conspicuous beauty of the butterflies . Not only are they abundant in individuals ,
but their ...
Page 142
Here , however , the change begun in the larger island appears to have been
checked , for the female remains to this day intermediate between the Juan
Fernandez and the Chilian forms . More recently , the parent form has again
migrated ...
Here , however , the change begun in the larger island appears to have been
checked , for the female remains to this day intermediate between the Juan
Fernandez and the Chilian forms . More recently , the parent form has again
migrated ...
Page 145
The male , which had already acquired his colour , remains almost
undistinguishable from his immediate ancestral form ; but he is a little smaller ,
indicating either that the full size of that form had not been acquired at the period
of migration , or ...
The male , which had already acquired his colour , remains almost
undistinguishable from his immediate ancestral form ; but he is a little smaller ,
indicating either that the full size of that form had not been acquired at the period
of migration , or ...
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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 |