COLOR AND THE BEHAVIOR OF ARTHROPODS 107 



resemblance is of value to most arthropods. However, Keeble 

 and Gamble, ('04, p. 363) conclude from their exhaustive study 

 of the coloration and color changes of crustaceans, that " The 

 phenomena presented by these pigments are not exhaustively 

 explained by any 'protective hypothesis,' " and Beddard ('92) 

 maintains that color is not a protection against invertebrate 

 foes. Although protective coloration is generally efficacious 

 in preserving arthropods from the attacks of enemies it is not 

 always perfectly adapted to its purpose (p. 99) and is often 

 only effective for one particular enemy. 



Reactions in relation to color environment. — In the present 

 paper it has been shown that none of the four animals tested, 

 though protectively colored, show any tendency to seek the 

 background that harmonizes with their own coloration. In fact, 

 the writer knows of no ]:)ublished observation which proves 

 that any arthropod does this. Minkiewicz ('07) maintains that 

 Maja and other decorating crabs select colors for their backs 

 which correspond with the tone of their surroundings, but Bate- 

 son's ('89) experiments on the same kinds of crabs and the 

 experiments with Lihinia described in this paper make his results 

 seem doubtful; Keeble and Gamble ('00) believe that in their 

 experiments Hippolyte selected the background which most 

 nearly matched its own color, but they give no evidence to show 

 that the prawns did not select a certain sea weed on account 

 of some quality other than color. Such a careful observer as 

 McCook ('89-'93, vol. 2, p. 335) concludes that spiders which 

 conceal their nests with foreign objects do so without recog- 

 nizing their protective value. In this connection it is interesting 

 to note that Marshall and Poulton ('02, p. 323) say: " Insectiv- 

 orous invertebrates are not capable of appreciating warning 

 colors, but have to taste all their captures." Nevertheless, 

 they believe (p. 424) that butterflies select a general habitat 

 where they are well protected. 



Among the insects perhaps the best illustration of protective 

 behavior coupled with absolute disregard for color environment 

 is exhibited by the walking-sticks. Both Stockard ('08) and 

 Schleip ('10) have shown that the behavior of these animals is 

 suited in the highest degree to protect them except for the fact 

 that they do not rest upon colors in their habitat which match 



