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 83
Page 26
It results from this , —that the periodical phenomena of plants and animals do not
take place at about the same time in all species , or in the individuals of any given
species , as they do in temperate countries . In Europe , a woodland scene has ...
It results from this , —that the periodical phenomena of plants and animals do not
take place at about the same time in all species , or in the individuals of any given
species , as they do in temperate countries . In Europe , a woodland scene has ...
Page 40
Although these are found throughout the tropics and a few species even extend
into the warmer parts of the temperate regions , they are yet so much more
abundant and varied within the limits of the region we are discussing that they
may be ...
Although these are found throughout the tropics and a few species even extend
into the warmer parts of the temperate regions , they are yet so much more
abundant and varied within the limits of the region we are discussing that they
may be ...
Page 41
The fan - shaped leaves of other species are ten or twelve feet in diameter . The
trunks of palms are sometimes smooth and more or less regularly ringed , but
they are frequently armed with dense prickles which are sometimes eight inches
...
The fan - shaped leaves of other species are ten or twelve feet in diameter . The
trunks of palms are sometimes smooth and more or less regularly ringed , but
they are frequently armed with dense prickles which are sometimes eight inches
...
Page 42
They are very abundant in the drier equatorial forests , and more than sixty
species are known from the Malay Archipelago . The stems ( when cleaned from
the sheathing leaves and prickles ) vary in size from the thickness of a quill to that
of ...
They are very abundant in the drier equatorial forests , and more than sixty
species are known from the Malay Archipelago . The stems ( when cleaned from
the sheathing leaves and prickles ) vary in size from the thickness of a quill to that
of ...
Page 45
Other articles of food produced from palms are , cooking - oil from the cocoa - nut
and baccaba palm , salt from the fruit of a South American palm ( Leopoldinia
major ) , while the terminal bud or “ cabbage ” of many species is an excellent
and ...
Other articles of food produced from palms are , cooking - oil from the cocoa - nut
and baccaba palm , salt from the fruit of a South American palm ( Leopoldinia
major ) , while the terminal bud or “ cabbage ” of many species is an excellent
and ...
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 |