244 THE COLOURS OF ANIMAI^ 



ate them. After this they were seen to taste the 

 Cinnabar caterpillars, in order to test whether they were 

 really as unpalatable as they appeared to be.^ 



Further examples from the British Moths 



Professor Meldola has also suggested that three 

 abundant species of Geometrce (Asthena candidata, 

 Cahera pusaria, and C. exanthemaria) may be unpalat- 

 able, for they are all white and very conspicuous when 

 flying at dusk. If this be the case it is very probable 

 that the resemblance of two much scarcer Geometers to 

 some of these may be an example of true Mimicry (viz. 

 Acidalia subseiiceata and the first mentioned ; Corycia 

 temerata and the second, or both second and third). 

 It is much to be hoped that the experimental evidence 

 will soon be forthcoming. 



I have given many instances of Mimicry in Lepi- 

 doptera because the subject has been more fully in- 

 vestigated within the limits of this order, and because 

 of the beauty and interest of the examj)les themselves. 

 But the same principles are of very wide application, 

 as I shall be able to show in the next chapter, although 

 limited space will prevent me from giving many ex- 

 amples. 



' For these and other experiments on unpalatable insects see 

 Studies in the Theory of Descent, Part ii. pp. o3G 40 ; English trans- 

 lation by Professor Meldola. 



