248 THE COLOUES OF ANIMALS 



special examination or caution, and devoured directly 

 it was seen. 



This experiment supports the conclusion previously 

 arrived at, that insect-eating animals do not start 

 with an instinctive knowledge, but learn by experience. 

 It also proves that the mimetic resemblance may 

 deceive a peculiarly sharp and clever enemy, and cer- 

 tainly acts as a protection to the insect. In this case 

 the moth was brought within a few inches of the 

 lizard : in nature it would be seen from a much greater 

 distance, and would, doubtless, be at once avoided, 

 unless the enemy was impelled by excessive hunger. 



Mimicry of Hymenoptera by Diptera 



Other orders of insects also commonly mimic the 

 Hymenoptera. A very common British insect belong- 

 ing to the Diptera (the order including flies, gnats, 

 daddy-longlegs, &c.) is known as the Drone-fly 

 (Eristalis), although it is often wrongly called a Drone. 

 It very frequently flies into houses, and may be seen 

 walking, in a very bee-like manner, on the window- 

 panes. In addition to the striking resemblance to a bee 

 (see fig. 51) it buzzes in a most alarming manner when 

 captured, and moves its body in a way that is too 

 suggestive for the nerves of most people. And yet its 

 anatomical structure is entirely different from that of 

 a bee, and a superficial examination will show that it 



