142 



OR GAXIC E VOL UTJON 



that the suddenness of the change from one condition to the 

 other when irritated has as much to do with scaring away 

 enemies as does the reputed resemblance to the front part 

 of a snake, for most insect-eating birds and lizards are very 

 wary and easily startled. 



This description is quoted in full, for it gives a remark- 

 able instance of the combination of general protective 

 resemblance, terrifying attitude, terrifying motions, with 

 special appendages and mimicry. Two other caterpillars in 



" terrifying attitudes " 

 are shown on Plate 

 78, and in Fig. 41 

 is shown a moth in 

 what is said to be its 

 " terrifying attitude." 

 Another reputed 

 instance of mimicry 

 sometimes mentioned 

 is that of the marking 



O 



on the tips of the wings of some of the large moths, which 

 very closely resembles the head of a cobra with its expanded 

 hood, even the spectacle-like marks on the back of the hood 

 being reproduced (Fig. 42). I know, however, of no experi- 

 ments which test the effect of this appearance upon insect- 

 eating animals, and without such experiments we have no 

 right to regard the fancied resemblance as significant. 



There are examples of mimicry among the vertebrates. 

 Several venomous species of Elaps, the coral snake, are 

 conspicuously banded with red and black, or with red and 

 black and yellow, and these venomous species are each 

 imitated by other species of harmless snakes, belonging to 



FIG. 41. " Terrifying attitude " of a moth (Snieriiit/iits 

 occllata). [After WEISMANN.] 



