138 MR. C. N. BARKER 



A Criticism of the Foundations upon ichich the Theory 

 of Mimicry is Built. 



By C. N. Barker, F.E.S. 



The theory of Mimicry by natural selection has been 

 endorsed by a large and influential body of opinion, but 

 there are many stumbling blocks which require elimina 

 tion before it can be generally accepted as a feasible 

 hypothesis. The exponents of the theory have relied al- 

 most exclusively upon insects, especially butterflies, for 

 examples to illustrate their views. It has not been en- 

 tirely neglected in its relations to the vertebrates, but the 

 field for enquiry is a limited one, compared with that 

 afforded by the vast congeries of organisms that go to 

 make up the insect world. Before dealing with my own 

 doubts as to the reliability of some of the premises upon 

 which the theory of mimicry rests, I wish to draw atten- 

 tion to what that Prince of Sportsmen and very com- 

 petent field-naturalist, the late lamented Capt. F. C. 

 Selous, D.S.O., has to say on this subject in his book en- 

 titled '' African Nature Notes and Reminiscences " 

 (1908). His two opening chajiters are devoted to some 

 pertinent criticisms on protective coloration, recognition 

 marks and the influence of environment on living organ- 

 isms. His unrivalled personal experience of the habits 

 of the fauna of South Africa, and in a lesser degree of 

 that of other countries, lends weight to the criticisms he 

 brings to bear on t^ese subjects, and they are well worth 

 the careful reading of all biological students. Mr. Theo. 

 Roosevelt, at that time President of the United States, 

 aptly says in his api)reciative Foreword to tlie book, 

 ^' Mr. Selous, by his observations, illustrates the great 

 desirability of having the views of the Closet Naturalist 

 tested by competent Field Observers.'^ 



Mr. Selous shows what some biologists claim to be pro- 

 tective coloration, as occurs in such conspicuously pat- 



