THE BLUE WILDEBEEST. 



The occurrence of curious parallel resemblances 

 between creatures of far-sundered genera is 

 comparatively frequent throughout the animal 

 kingdom. Numerous instances of this are readily 

 called to mind, the various organs of the species 

 concerned being adapted to the environment 

 of the animal on similar lines, although the 

 creatures themselves may have no real affinity 

 with each other. Taking the mammalia only, the 

 mimicry of a squirrel by the tupaia or tree shrew, 

 with rodent-like attitudes and bushy tail complete, 

 is a remarkable example only equalled by the 

 curious reverse mimicry of the tupaia itself by 

 the Bornean tupaia-like squirrel with its elongated 

 muzzle and shoulder-streaks. The insectivorous 

 mole of Europe finds its zoological parallel in the 

 mole-rat of North Africa, and in the marsupial 

 mole of Australia : the parachute of the cobego 

 reappears as the volant membrane of the anom- 

 alurus, the patagium of the flying squirrel and 

 the extensile skin-fold of the flying phalanger. 

 The spines of the hedgehog and of the tenrec 

 may be contrasted with the formidable quills of 

 the porcupine and with the serried panoply of the 

 echidna, while the rodent jerboas and the kangaroo 



