AROMATIC BUTTERFLIES 177 



were recognized in an instant. More than this, 

 how unerringly it discovers the plant it is in search 

 of, even if hidden beneath a canopy of entangled 

 obstacles. It acts hi every way as if it were scent- 

 ing out the object of its quest. 



So, too, the very high development of scent 

 scales of varied patterns and character among but- 

 terflies indicates a direct sexual use, which, is the 

 more easily understood when we consider that the 

 greater variety and brilliancy of the colors of but- 

 terflies as contrasted with moths has, in all proba- 

 bility, no sexual significance whatever. Brilliant 

 masculine colors may possibly have arisen in birds 

 through sexual selection, but such an origin is im- 

 possible in butterflies ; since, therefore, the males 

 cannot be attractive to their mates by seductive 

 colors, they resort to odors, and vie with each other 

 in the production of sweet-smelling garments. 



