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 113
They are excessively slow in their motions , and are protected by the wonderful
power of changing their colour so as to assimilate it with that of immediately
surrounding objects . Like the majority of lizards they are insectivorous , but they
are ...
They are excessively slow in their motions , and are protected by the wonderful
power of changing their colour so as to assimilate it with that of immediately
surrounding objects . Like the majority of lizards they are insectivorous , but they
are ...
Page 118
It is , in fact , a fifth hand , and is constantly used to pick up small objects from the
ground . The most remarkable of the American monkeys are the howlers , whose
tremendous roaring exceeds that of the lion or the bull , and is to be heard ...
It is , in fact , a fifth hand , and is constantly used to pick up small objects from the
ground . The most remarkable of the American monkeys are the howlers , whose
tremendous roaring exceeds that of the lion or the bull , and is to be heard ...
Page 137
... as might be expected , beautiful objects , some being no larger inside than the
half of a walnut - shell . These small cup - shaped nests are often placed in the
fork of a branch , and the outside is sometimes beautifully decorated with pieces
of ...
... as might be expected , beautiful objects , some being no larger inside than the
half of a walnut - shell . These small cup - shaped nests are often placed in the
fork of a branch , and the outside is sometimes beautifully decorated with pieces
of ...
Page 158
THERE is probably no one quality of natural objects from which we derive so
much pure and intellectual enjoyment as from their colours . The heavenly blue of
the firmament , the glowing tints of sunset , the exquisite purity of the snowy ...
THERE is probably no one quality of natural objects from which we derive so
much pure and intellectual enjoyment as from their colours . The heavenly blue of
the firmament , the glowing tints of sunset , the exquisite purity of the snowy ...
Page 159
Flowers , insects and birds , are the organisms most generally ornamented in this
way ; and their symmetry of form , their variety of structure , and the lavish
abundance with which they clothe and enliven the earth , cause them to be
objects of ...
Flowers , insects and birds , are the organisms most generally ornamented in this
way ; and their symmetry of form , their variety of structure , and the lavish
abundance with which they clothe and enliven the earth , cause them to be
objects of ...
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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 |