Tropical Nature and Other EssaysCambridge University Press, 6. juuni 2013 - 380 pages Sometimes 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
Page 10
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 125
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 132
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Page 295
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Contents
The three Climatal Zones of the EarthTemperature of the Equatorial | 1 |
EQUATORIAL VEGETATION | 27 |
Difficulties of the Subject General Aspect of the Animal Life of Equatorial | 69 |
StructureColours and OrnamentsDescriptive NamesThe Motions | 124 |
General Phenomena of ColourTheory of Heat and Light as producing | 158 |
Source of Colouringmatter in PlantsProtective Coloration and Mimicry | 221 |
Introductory RemarksON soME RELATIoNs or LlVING THINGS To THEIR | 249 |
Old Opinions on Continental ChangesTheory of Oceanic IslandsPresent | 304 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abundant adapted Africa allied Amazon animals ants Asia attract bamboo Batavia beautiful birds blue brilliant butterflies carnivora causes changes characteristic climate colour Colours of Animals confined conspicuous continent curious Danaidae Darwin deficiency distinct Eocene equatorial zone existence extensive fact families fauna favourable feet female fertilization figures find fine first five flat flies flight flora flowers fly foliage forests fruits genera genus greater green groups habits heat humming-birds immense infinite influence inhabit insects ISBN islands Juan Fernandez land leaves lemurs less light Madagascar Malay Malay Archipelago male mammalia marsupials Miocene modified monkeys natural selection North Nymphalidae observed occur oceanic ornaments Pacific peculiar perhaps phenomena plants plumage probably produced protection rays region remarkable resemble sexual selection showy flowers sometimes South America species sun-birds tail temperate zones temperature theory tints tion trees tropical Ungulata variation varied variety vegetation wings yellow