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
... 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 of the surface ...
... 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 of the surface ...
Page 8
The surplus heat received during the day is therefore conducted downwards very
slowly , the surface soil becomes greatly superheated , and a large portion of this
heat is given out at night and thus keeps up the high temperature of the air ...
The surplus heat received during the day is therefore conducted downwards very
slowly , the surface soil becomes greatly superheated , and a large portion of this
heat is given out at night and thus keeps up the high temperature of the air ...
Page 10
It is this large quantity of vapour in the equatorial atmosphere that keeps up a
genial warmth throughout the night by preventing the radiation into space of the
heat absorbed by the surface soil during the day . That this is really the case is ...
It is this large quantity of vapour in the equatorial atmosphere that keeps up a
genial warmth throughout the night by preventing the radiation into space of the
heat absorbed by the surface soil during the day . That this is really the case is ...
Page 11
As the heated earth , and everything upon its surface , does not cool so fast when
surrounded by moist as by dry air , it follows , that even if the quantity and
intensity of the solar rays falling upon two given portions of the earth's surface are
...
As the heated earth , and everything upon its surface , does not cool so fast when
surrounded by moist as by dry air , it follows , that even if the quantity and
intensity of the solar rays falling upon two given portions of the earth's surface are
...
Page 12
As a rule , therefore , every current of air at or near the equator has passed
obliquely over an immense extent of tropical surface and is thus necessarily a
warm wind . In the north temperate zone , on the other hand , the winds are
always cool ...
As a rule , therefore , every current of air at or near the equator has passed
obliquely over an immense extent of tropical surface and is thus necessarily a
warm wind . In the north temperate zone , on the other hand , the winds are
always cool ...
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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 |