A STUDY OF MIMICRY 19 



would seem more probable that these were cases 

 of general mimicry in process of formation toward 

 some specific type. At any rate, we need to 

 know more definitely about these instances before 

 we can properly discuss them. They have never 

 been collated. 



In support of the general theory of mimicry, 

 it may be said that cases are far more common 

 in the tropics than in temperate regions, even 

 relatively ; and so, too, are insectivorous animals. 

 The accounts of travelers in the tropics constantly 

 mention the attacks of birds upon butterflies, 

 while instances of butterflies being seen pursued 

 by birds are vastly more rare in the temperate 

 regions. I have never seen one. In the tropics, 

 moreover, the birds are aided by a great number 

 of other insectivorous animals, such as lizards. 

 In our own country, therefore, we should not 

 look for many instances of mimicry of any decided 

 type. The most striking is unquestionably that 

 of Basilarchia archippus, which mimics Anosia 

 plexippus, and the closely related case of Basi- 

 larchia eros and Tasitia berenice, the last two 

 butterflies largely supplanting the first two on 

 the peninsula of Florida. In both these instances 

 the mimicry is enjoyed by both sexes. A third 



