24S BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 



a way that the tips of the hind wings touch the twig, giving it the appear- 

 ance of an attached petiole. The outer border resembles that of a torn leaf. 

 Running up the middle of the folded wings is a dark line which represents 

 perfectly a midrib. It has a raised appearance given by an artistic ren- 

 dering of light and shade effects. One can scarcely believe that it is an 

 effect produced by flat scales. 



Still more wonderful is the way in which the venation of the leaf is 

 brought out. The natural color of the veins is heightened in the two 

 quarters where wing veins would harmonize with leaf veins. Still more 

 wonderful is the almost total suppression of the wing veins in the other 

 two quarters where wing veins would run across leaf veins; but in their 

 place, to carry out the deception, it would seem, to the minutest detail. 

 a series of shadowy scales take the direction of leaf veins. Thus the 

 pattern of leaf venation is completely represented. The leaf insects, 

 leaf carrying ants, and all the long list of nature's deceivers, must yield 

 the palm to the magnificent Kalima butterfly, the prince of counterfeiters 

 of the animal world. 



Thus nature strives to protect her own. The key that unlocks many 

 a mystery in animal adaptation is not always easily found. "Working 

 upon the hypothesis that animals have come to their present forms and 

 colors through adaptation to their environment we believe that there is 

 sufficient reason for all phenomena. We have the privilege here of 

 working in nature's own laboratory where as yet the hand of man has 

 hardly disturbed the balance which has been brought about by years un- 

 numbered. A few years more and where can we find a spot on this 

 hemisphere where man has not turned the plant and animal world topsy- 

 truvy by destruction of native species and the introduction of foreign ones. 

 Let us then improve our opportunity. 



