226 THE COLOURS OF ANIMALS 



the world. These models almost invariably belong to 

 the two great families Danaidce (including Euploea, 

 Danais, and Hestia) and AcrmdcE, while the Heliconidce 

 of Tropical America are also mimicked. It has been 

 already pointed out that the Danaidce, which inhabit 

 the region of which the Heliconidce are characteristic, 

 have adopted the appearance of the latter, and may 

 therefore be called Heliconoid Danaidce.^ 



Proof that the mimicked Butterflies are specially pro- 

 tected by a nauseous taste or smell 



It is of the greatest importance to prove that these 

 butterflies are specially protected in some unusual and 

 exceptionally complete manner, so that resemblance 

 to them would be advantageous. All observers speak 

 of their slow flight, gaudy colours, and abundance. 

 Thus Mr. Trimen's descriptions of the Danaidce and 

 Acrceidce are equally true of the Heliconidce, and of all 

 other butterflies or moths which are the objects of 

 Mimicry. * The slow flight, the conspicuous colours, 

 the complete disregard of concealment, no less than 

 the great abundance of individuals, are characteristics 

 indicating unmistakably that these butterflies are 

 favoured races, enjoying advantages and immunities 

 above their fellows.' ^ The colours of the under sides 



' Bates called them ' Danaoid HeliccmidcB,' but Trimen pointed 

 out that the transposed words more truly express the relationship 

 {loc. cit. p. 499). 



- Loc. cit. p. 408. 



