Island Life; or, The Phenomena and Causes of Insular Faunas and Floras, including a Revision and Attempted Solution of the Problem of Geological Climates

Abstract

I. MR. WALLACE is to be congratulated on his success in that most difficult part of book-writing—the choice of a good descriptive, yet short and euphonious, title. “Island Life!” What do not the words suggest! How many old associations do they not recall! A vacant and unsuspicious reader may indeed be lured by them to open what he may expect will prove a good novel, perhaps a story of the “Robinson-Crusoe” type. His hopes will be quenched by the first chapter; but if he possesses any capacity for an interest in the flowers, insects, birds, and beasts of his home, it will almost certainly be quickened by a perusal of that chapter. Like a skilful composer Mr. Wallace strikes at once with a firm touch the key-note of his volume. In a few pages he puts before us the problem he seeks to solve, and does this in so graphic and masterly a way that most readers will not only comprehend what he aims at, but will be persuaded into the belief that as they are familiar with some parts of the subject they have a personal interest in seeing what the author can make of it. Island Life; or, The Phenomena and Causes of Insular Faunas and Floras, including a Revision and Attempted Solution of the Problem of Geological Climates. By Alfred Russel Wallace. (London: Macmillan and Co., 1880.)