32 MOSTLY MAMMALS 



{Tragelaphus scriptus) among the antelopes, and Gunn's 

 bandicoot {Perameles gunni) and the banded ant-eater 

 {Myrmecobius) among the marsupials. In the harnessed 

 antelope spots occur as well as stripes. 



Many other species might be incorporated in these lists, 

 but the foregoing instances are sufficient to show that no 

 one type of coloration is confined to any particular group, 

 although it may be much more common in one assemblage 

 of animals than in another. 



Several attempts have been made to reduce the colora- 

 tion of animals to some general law, and among these one 

 of the most notable was published some years ago by 

 Prof, Eimer, of Tubingen, who based his conclusions on a 

 comprehensive study of vertebrates in general. As the 

 result of his investigations, this observer declared that the 

 following laws might be laid down in regard to colour- 

 markings of animals in general. Firstly, the primitive 

 type of coloration took the form of longitudinal stripes. 

 Secondly, these stripes broke up into spots, retaining in 

 many cases a more or less distinct longitudinal arrange- 

 ment. Thirdly, the spots again coalesced, but this time 

 into transverse stripes. And fourthly, all markings dis- 

 appeared, so as to produce a uniform coloration of the 

 whole coat. As a further development of this theory, it 

 was added that the more specialised features were assumed 

 in many cases more completely by the male than the female, 

 while the primitive coloration often persists in the young. 

 It was also stated that the primitive longitudinal stripes 

 frequently persist on the middle of the back, and likewise 

 on the crown and sides of the face, examples of the latter 

 survival being shown by the head- and face-stripes of 

 many spotted cats, and the dark and light streaks on the 

 sides of the face of the badger. 



