SOCIETIES. 31 B 



Gillo, of Bath, on the "Colours of Animals." He stated that the 

 present coloration of animals had been brought about by " natural 

 selection " and the survival of the fittest, which tended to produce an 

 effect advantageous to the animal. He divided the subject into eight 

 parts, as follows : — 



I. Protective colouring. — A very large number of animals have ac- 

 quired a colour which harmonizes with their surroundings. In order to 

 see this, we must study them in a state of nature, e.g. — the stripes of the 

 tiger accord with the rank grass of the country which it inhabits ; polar 

 animals are white, and animals frequenting deserts are uniformly sand- 

 coloured. 2. Variability of colour. — Animals which occur in different 

 localities vary to suit their surroundings. Further, some animals, espe- 

 cially reptiles and fishes, have the power of changing colour when 

 removed from light to dark places, or vice versa. Larvge of Afupliidasys 

 betularia, reared amid green leaves and shoots, are green ; while those 

 fed among twigs assume the brown colour, with the exception of about 

 2 per cent., which are green. 3. Warning colouring. — Brilliantly- 

 coloured animals are usually protected by stings, or are unpalateable to 

 their enemies. Thus their conspicuous hues serve as danger signals, 

 and help to secure their safety. Brightly-coloured larv^ are avoided by 

 birds, while green or brown ones are frequently eaten. 4. Mimicry. — 

 Animals protected by stings, or otherwise, are often mimicked by others, 

 who thus share their immunity from attacks of enemies. Wasps are 

 mimicked by insects of other orders. Some insects resemble pieces of 

 stick, leaves, etc. 5. Alluring mimicry. — Certain animals allure their 

 prey by imitating objects which are attractive to them. A species of 

 Mantis from India resembles the flower of an orchis, thus attracting 

 various insects on which to feed. 6. Aggressive mimicry. — A fly ( Volu- 

 cella bombylans), the larvK of which feed in the nest of the Humble-bee, 

 mimics the latter insect, and so gains access to its nest. 7. Recognition 

 markings. — Animals which live in colonies usually develop some mark 

 by which they are able to recognise one another. Rabbits are enabled to 

 gain a shelter from danger by following the small white tails of others that 

 are nearer their burrows. 8. Sexual selection. — Females of some species 

 exhibit a preference for the most brilliantly-coloured males. This has 

 led to the special adornment of the males, and to the general improve- 

 ment of the species. 



February ^th, 1891. — Exhibits : — Mr. Hodges, Acronycta rumicis 

 and its var. salicis, Leucania vitellina from the Isle of Wight, Emmelesia 

 tceniata, and specimens oi Anchocelis lunosa and Miana strigilis, showing 

 the range of variation. Mr. Battley, series of "carpet " moths; also, on 

 behalf of the members of the Record Exchange Club, fine varieties of 

 Crocallis elinguaj'ia, Cidaria populata, Arctia menthastri, and Noctua 

 festiva. Mr. Tutt, long series of Laretitidce to illustrate his paper. 

 Mr. Milton, Heliophobus hispidus, Noctua glareosa. Coleoptera : — Mr. 

 Elliman, Alycctophagus atomaiius, Litargus bifasciatus, Cicones varie- 

 gatus, Dromius quadri-notatus, Sunius angustatus, Rhizophagus bipustu- 

 latus, and other beedes. Mr. Millon exhibited Nacerdes melanura, 

 Alphitobius piceus, Carabus ?iitens, Calosoma inquisitor and Fanagceus 

 crux-major. 



The Geometrid genera — Melanthia, Alelatiippe arid their allies. — Mr. 

 Tutt said that he had chosen the geometrid genera of " carpet " moths 



