60 LEAF-BUGS. 
sents an interesting case of dimorphism, and also of mimicry. 
The illustration, Fig. 49, shows the sexes of Sericophanus 
ocellatus Reut. He writes: 
“The significance to be attached to the peculiar dimorphism 
and mimicry presented in this and other species opens a ques- 
tion of too far reaching importance to be discussed here. That 
they resemble ants is certain, that they may by this resemblance 
gain some advantage is possible, but whether the abortion of 
the wings and elytra is merely the result of such mimicry, or 
connected with advantages of an entirely different nature, we 
Fic. 49.—Sericophanus ocellatus Reut. After Osborn. 
are not prepared to guess. I have used the term mimicry in a 
general way to cover this feature of resemblance, but I would 
dissent from the use of this term in such a loose manner if a 
better one were available. Such resemblance seems to me not 
of necessity mimicry in its proper sense, or protective resem- 
blance, but merely the assumption of a similar form by different 
animals when adapting themselves to similar environments. 
The question really broadens into a discussion of all the factors 
of adaptive evolution, and while attractive, is too large to attack 
in such a paper as this.” 
