184 THE COLOUES OF ANIMALS 



principles which deal with the infinitely complex and 

 ever-changing relations which obtain between the 

 most widely separated, no less than between the most 

 closely allied, members of the organic kingdom. But, 

 nevertheless, this principle carries with it its own 

 compensating principle, which will come into opera- 

 tion precisely as the former advances to the possession 

 of undue influence. 



The education of enemies assisted by the fact that 

 Warning Colours and patterns often resemble each other 



It is probably unnecessary for the young insect- 

 eating animal actually to make trial of every species 

 of nauseous insect in its locality, in order to be 

 equipped with an efficient stock of experiences with 

 which to conduct its later life. Such an education 

 would be somewhat dearly bought ; it would be un- 

 pleasant to the insect-eater and destructive to the 

 insect. Since, however, the same colours are em- 

 ployed again and again by unpalatable or dangerous 

 insects of very different groups, and since the patterns 

 are also frequently repeated, it is obvious that a com- 

 paratively few unpleasant experiences would be suffi- 

 cient to create a prejudice against any insect with a 

 colour or pattern at all resembling the nauseous forms 

 which had already produced so deep an impression 

 upon the memory. 



This conclusion was drawn from the careful com- 

 parison of the colours and patterns of all insects which 



