388 Mr. O. A. K. Marshall 07i 



21. COXCLUSIONS FROM EXPERIMENTS ON BaROONS. 



(E. B. r.) 



Some of the most interesting results were those which 

 show the actual working of the principle on which the 

 theory of mimicry depends ; especially the twice-repeated 

 experiment with the exposed under-side of the distasteful 

 Acnea anemosa, resulting in the escape of the Precis 

 sesamus with a somewhat similar under-side, while the 

 same species deprived of its wings was readily eaten. At the 

 same time a P. sesamns (^ was on one occasion rejected by 

 the female without any preparatory display of an Anwa. 

 The suspicion of the Lycoid Longicorn, Blcpisanis haroldl, 

 dispelled when it was tasted, points in the same direction. 

 On the other hand, the baboons were not imposed upon 

 by the resemblance of the Carabid Pobjhirma .vnif/ma to a 

 MutiUa. lu the natural state the swiftly-running Carabid 

 would have a much better chance of this pseudaposematic 

 protection than under the conditions of an experiment with 

 captive insect-eaters. Bijhlia ilitJiyia was similarly dis- 

 tinguished from an Acrxa ; but this by no means proves 

 that the resemblance is not beneficial under natural 

 conditions. 



As regards Lepidoptera, the refusal of a Proloimrce 

 convohndi, after examination of every fragment of it, is 

 most remarkable. The insect at rest is apparently a 

 beautiful example of cryptic colouring. Further experi- 

 ments are very desirable. 



The AvnriiiiV (a.cina, caldarena, rahira, ancinosajiakdi) 

 and L. c/iri/si^jpns were never eaten, although sometimes 

 tasted ; on many occasions they were recognized at sight, 

 and refused. Mylothris ac/athinn was sometimes partly 

 and once completely eaten, but it was usually rejected and 

 evidently unpalatable to them. Neptis agatha was also 

 generally tasted and neglected, and never entirely eaten. 

 The Pierino HcrpKnia eriphia was also evidently dis- 

 tasteful. Other butterflies which were usually eaten did 

 not appear to be a food which is much appreciated. Thus 

 B. ilithyia was sometimes neglected and sometimes only 

 partially eaten ; Teracolus acJiinc was on one occasion eaten 

 '* with doubt," and the same was true of one Papilio corin- 

 neus. The two large Hesj^erids of the genus Rhopalocampta 

 were, on the other hand, eaten with relish, and the baboon 

 showed evident disappointment on receiving Belcnois 



