188 THE COLOUES OF ANIMALS 



thick green spike (see fig. 46).^ The conspicuous 

 appearance chiefly depends upon the gregarious 

 habits, and upon the fact that the larvae com- 

 monly rest on the upper surface of the large leaves, 

 which form a background against which the larval 



Fig. 47.— Larva of Mullein Moth on leaf of Mullein ; full-fed ; natural size. 



colours stand out with startling distinctness (see fig. 

 47). It has been proved that these larvae possess an 

 unpleasant although not an extremely nauseous taste, 

 so that here also we have evidence that the change 

 from a palatable well -concealed form is only recent 

 and is as yet incomplete. 



' This observation was communicated to Professor Meldola by 

 Mr. Thomas Eedle. 



