328 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



many useful qualities which the ox did not. As another example of 

 what the people of those countries might do in this way, he would re- 

 fer to the American grapes, which at one time were thought so useless 

 that there was a proverb to that effect ; but now it was found that a 

 good wine can be made from them. In confirmation of Mr. Ogilby's 

 opinions as to the origin of domestic animals, he might say that the 

 prototype of the common cat was that kept in the temples of Egypt 



ON THE ADAPTATION OF COLOR TO THE WANTS OF THE 



ANIMAL. 



WE take the following remarks upon the adaptation of color to the 

 wants of the animal, from a recent scientific publication by Mr. 

 Broderip, of England: "Throughout the animal creation, the 

 adaptation of the color of the creature to its haunts is worthy of admi- 

 ration, as tending to its preservation. The colors of insects, and of a 

 multitude of the smaller animals, contribute to their concealment. 

 Caterpillars which feed on leaves are generally either green, or have 

 a large proportion of that hue in the color of their coats. As long as 

 they remain still, how difficult it is to distinguish a grasshopper or 

 young locust from the herbage or leaf on which it rests. The butter- 

 flies that flit about among flowers are colored like them. The small 

 birds which frequent hedges have backs of a greenish or brownish 

 green hue, and their bellies are generally whitish, or light-colored, so 

 as to harmonize with the sky. Thus they become less visible to the 

 hawk or cat that passes above or below them. The wayfarer across 

 the fields almost treads upon the skylark before he sees it rise warbling 

 to heaven's gate. The goldfinch or thistlefinch passes much of its 

 time among flowers, and is vividly colored accordingly. The partridge 

 can hardly be distinguished from the fallow or stubble upon or among 

 which it crouches, and it is considered an accomplishment among 

 sportsmen to have a good eye for finding a hare sitting. In northern 

 countries, the winter dress of the hares and ptarmigans is white, to 

 prevent detection among the snows of those inclement regions. 



" If we turn to the waters, the same design is evident. Frogs even 

 vary their color according to that of the mud or sand that forms the 

 bottom of the ponds or streams which they frequent nay, the tree- 

 frog (Hyla viridis) takes its specific name from the color, which 

 renders it so difficult to see it among the leaves, where it adheres by 

 the cupping-glass-like processes at the end of its toes. It is the 

 same with fish, especially those which inhabit the fresh waters. 

 Their backs, with the exception of gold and silver fish, and a few 

 others, are comparatively dark ; and some practice is required before 

 they are satisfactorily made out, as they come like shadows, and so 

 depart, under the eye of the spectator. A little boy once called out to 

 a friend to ' come and see, for the bottom of the brook was moving 

 along.' The friend came, and saw that a thick shoal of gudgeons, and 

 roach, and dace, was passing. It is difficult to detect 4 the ravenous 

 luce,' as old Izaak calls the pike, with its dark green and mottled 



