1897] NOTES AND COMMENTS 225 
‘orthodox’ theories have been noticed in Natural Science. In de- 
fence of the old positions we notice a short paper by Mr F. M. 
Webster of Ohio, in the Report of the Entomological Society of 
Ontario for 1896 (pp. 80-86). The author minimises the value of 
experiments, tending to show that insects with ‘warning’ colours 
are not always distasteful. He points out that the fact that Prof. 
Plateau enjoyed feeding on the caterpillars of the magpie moth 
does not prove them palatable to more usual enemies. No insect 
is so familiar an example of ‘warning’ colour as the North 
American danaid butterfly, Anosia archippus. Myr Webster narrates 
an instance of a number of these butterflies being eaten by mice in 
Texas, and tells how he himself observed a colony of brightly- 
coloured cabbage bugs (Margantia histrionica) devoured by the same 
rodents. But he believes that mice must be very exceptional 
enemies to these species, and that the bright colours may be of 
‘warning’ value to animals that eat insects habitually. 
The same author in another paper (Journal New York Entom. 
Soc., 1897, pp. 67-77) deals with the mental or instinctive factors 
in protective resemblance. It is well known that in addition to 
the form and colour of the insect, a special attitude or a position on 
some particular background of leaf or twig is essential to the per- 
fection of the illusion. Mr Webster believes that such habits have 
not been developed without the action of some conscious will and 
intelligence on the part of the creatures concerned. He compares 
the young twig-like caterpillar to the human infant who has 
inherited none of the accumulated knowledge of his ancestors, 
though he has inherited an aptitude for learning. 
Tue EFFECT OF CIVILISATION ON THE NortTH AMERICAN INSECT 
FAUNA 
ANOTHER subject of general interest, lately dealt’ with by Mr 
Webster (Fifth Annual Report of the Ohio State Academy of Science), 
is the effect of civilisation on the insect fauna of North America. 
In few other parts of the world has so rapid.a change been made in 
the natural aspect of the country by the advent of the pioneer and 
the farmer, and the transformation of swamps and forests into cul- 
tivated fields has led to the extinction of many native species of 
insects. Some species, however, have adapted themselves to the 
changed conditions, while a considerable introduction of Tropical 
and European forms has been a direct result of the advance of 
civilisation. Mr Webster rightly lays stress on the importance of 
systematic observations on the natural history of new countries, 
wherever possible, before the balance of nature has been disturbed 
by the advent of the white man. 
