Packard.] INSECTS AS MIMICS. 269 



the Graptas. Mun}- geometric! moths rest on the bark of 

 trees, where they eseape the observation of the entomologist 

 whose eye is trained at loolving for them, and perhaps also 

 of the birds. The white pine trees often shelter the Tcphro- 

 sia Canadcu-ia, which I have found in no other position. 

 The Red Under wings, or Catocalas, spend their days on the 

 bark of deciduous trees, and only expose themselves to the 

 attack of birds when they show their gorgeous red and yellow 

 hues in flight. 



The Arctian moths, so brightly painted with strong con- 

 trasts of black and vermilion or red, can afford to be snapped 

 up by the birds, which allow their spiny, hairy larvae to go 

 scotfree. It is possible that the bright colors of the Arc- 

 tians and other Bombycid<\j, as well as the butterflies, are 

 needed to ensure the meeting of the sexes, as by their bright 

 colors they can detect each other afar off ; though the acute 

 sense of smell possessed by these moths, whose antennae are 

 broadly pectinated, may be sufficient for ensuring the prompt 

 recognition of each other's presence. That the white colors 

 of the Spilosoma Virginica and the moth of the fall web 

 worm (Ilyphantria textor) serve the same purpose of mutual 

 recognition as the conspicuous white Pieris, seems probable. 

 Mr. Darwin (Descent of Man, i, 387 ; Api)leton's edition, 

 1871) states that "the common white butterfly, as I hear 

 from Mr. Doubleday, often flies down to a bit of paper on 

 the ground, no doubt mistaking it for one of its own spe- 

 cies." The owlet and geometrid motlis fly in such large 

 numbers that there is a greater chance of their encountering 

 one another in the night, particularly as they feed on com- 

 mon objects of attraction, i. e., the honey of flowers. 



But all these points need to be thoroughly investigated. 

 Many statements and assertions on the subject of mimicry 

 need reexamination and confirmation, and some of the Aicts 

 I give here arc simply hints for future observation and ex- 

 periment. 



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