SIMULISM A MORE EXPRESSIVE TERM. 203 



and other biologists, although it is misleading to those who 

 are less intimately acquainted with the subject.* 



Edible insects are found in all orders and families, and 

 their best means of protection lies in concealment or in 

 some method of deceiving their numerous enemies. 



There are amongst the butterflies and moths many 

 edible species which are quite brightly and gaily coloured, 

 with markings on the wings almost as emphatic and 

 distinct as those of the DaiiaiiuE and Heliconince already 

 considered. In all regions where the inedible Lepidoptera 

 are found, there are also found certain edible butterflies and 

 moths which bear a strong superficial likeness to them. 

 The distasteful HelicojiincB dixxd Danaincu oi Sowth. America, 

 the Danaince and AcrmncB of Africa, and the DanaincB of 

 Asia, are copied and simulated in many cases by edible 

 Lepidoptet'a, which are so like them in every way that even 

 collectors sometimes fail to distinguish between them. 



The edible mimics or simulators are found in all 

 families of butterflies from the PapilionincE downwards 

 through the Nyinphalincr, Pierince, and so on, to and 

 including some of the diurnal moths ; the resemblance 

 extending to colour, size, shape, peculiarity of flight and 

 habits of life. The similarity is often so close that the 

 insects themselves are sometimes deceived. Fritz Miiller 

 says "I have repeatedly seen the male (mimicker) pursuing 

 " the female of the mimicked species till after closely 

 " approaching and becoming aware of his error he suddenly 

 " returned." 



The simulation is not however confined to butterflies 

 and moths ; for not only do some of the Lepidoptera 



*The word 'mimicry' has always appeared to me to be an unfortunate one for the 

 reasons stated above. I would suggest in preference the word ' simulism ' as being 

 much more suitable for e.xpressing the superficial resemblance of some insects to others 

 or to their environment and as avoiding the implication of conscious imitation. 

 'Simulism,' 'Simulation," 'Simulating,' &c., seem to me to be at once expressive, 

 explanatory and euphonious, and to be free from the inference of designed and cognitive 

 resemblance. I have adopted this nomenclature in this paper. M. L. S. 



