NATURAL SELECTION AND TROPICAL 

 NATURE: 



Essays on Descriptive and Theoretical Biology. 



By ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE, LL.D., F.L.S. 

 8vo. pp. 492. $1.75. 



" This is a new, corrected, and enlarged edition of two volumes of essays printed 

 in 1870, 1871, and 1878. They are now re-worked into the present one-volume 

 edition, with some additions and some omissions. Mr. Wallace's scientific position 

 remains in thetn unchanged. The somewhat free and miscellaneous arrangement of 

 the contents relieves to some extent the strain on the reader, and adds much to the 

 pleasure of reading. We note with interest his strong re-assertion of the fact that 

 there are limits in Nature to the operation of natural selection, and that it cannot 

 account for the development of man." — The Jtidependent. 



" Among interesting subjects treated here are the tendency of varieties to depart 

 indefinitely from the original type, mimicry, and other protective resemblances among 

 animals. The remarks on the general phenomena of color in the organic world gives 

 very great enjoyment to the reader, who finds, in Mr, Wallace's work, reverent studies 

 of the beauties and harmonies of creatures, and a conviction that the most insignifi- 

 cant parts of tiny organisms are worthy of earnest study, and capable of exciting 

 intelligent admiration." — Public Ledger. 



" Biologists of the present, though perhaps unanimous in acceptance of some form 

 of evolution, are divided into two camps as to what factor has been most potent in 

 the progress, — the direct modificative influence of the environment, or natural selec- 

 tion. Wallace stands for the latter. In 1870 he presented to the world a little vol- 

 ume of essays on Natural Selection. In 1S78 appeared a similar volume on 

 Tropical Nature. Both were delightful, even charming, reading. They have 

 been out of print for some time. Just at this time, their reprinting, as in the 

 volume before us, is certainly desirable. . . . To differ with a few of his statements 

 and some of his conclusions, is not to lack appreciation of their value and beauty 

 of style."' — ■ Christian Union. 



" Somewhat more than one-half of the book is occupied with the subject just 

 named in this th\e, -^—Nat/iral Selection. By this is meant, of course, that process 

 in nature by which organic life, in its * struggle for existence,' parts with those forms 

 which are ieebler and less equal to such a * struggle,' while the more vigorous ones 

 become permanent. ... It is, in other words, the basal principle in that doctrine 

 of 'evolution' of which we hear so much. This doctrme Mr. Wallace adopts, 

 although under limitations which the extreme advocates of the evolution school in 

 science do not recognize. He believes in a creatioy and a Creator; but it is * creation 

 by law,' that is to say, the establishment, by the Creator, of a law and method in the 

 physical universe, in accordance with which all organic life develops and multiplies. 

 . . . He is, then, a Darwinian within limitations. His treatment of the principles 

 which characterize this school in modern science is very lucid, while his array of 

 facts shows fruits of a lifetime devoted to studies of this nature. On one side, his 

 book may be read with a sensation of relief; it is a relief to follow in such studies a 

 man who, while thoroughly at home in his subject, a profound observer and a skilful 

 reasoner, is at the same time not an atheistical fanatic. The other essays in the 

 book, descriptive of organic life in tropical countries, will very much delight those 

 whom researches of this kind interest."— Tke Standard. 



MACMILLAN & CO., 



66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK. 

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