on Mullerian Mimicry and Diaposematism. 583 



combinations. Tliis will lead, amongst other things, to a 

 recognition of the important principle of " secondary 

 mimicry " ; a powerful reinforcement of the Miillerian 

 interpretation, which has been omitted from considera- 

 tion by Mr. Marshall, and on which accordingly I do not 

 enlarge. A final point to be impressed upon those who 

 may be approaching the question for the first time, is the 

 wonderful insight into future developments of his theory 

 shown b}^ Fritz Miiller himself. Reference to Prof. Mel- 

 dola's translation of Miiller's truly epoch-making paper 

 in Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1879, pp. xx-xxviii, will show 

 that not only is the main principle most clearly and pre- 

 cisely there stated, but that the author also foreshadows 

 such subsidiary points as relative distastefulness, "alter- 

 nate mimicry," the unpalatability of Pierine " mimics," 

 and not only the possibility but even the actual existence 

 of diaposematism. 



The kind expressions used by Mr. Marshall on the last 

 page of his paper I should wish most cordially to recipro- 

 cate. I may go further, for I believe that I owe more 

 benefit to the results of his experience as a field naturalist 

 and skill as an experimenter than he can have derived 

 from any publications of mine. I am not at all fond of 

 controversy in itself, though I admit its value and occa- 

 sional necessity. But if one has the misfortune to differ 

 from a friend and fellow-worker in the same field, the 

 regret that is unavoidably felt is much mitigated when 

 one meets so courteous and fair-minded an opponent as on 

 the present occasion. 



However, Mr. Marshall has now shot his bolt. It has 

 failed ; and the upholders of the large and comprehensive 

 principle of Mullerian mimicry, including its corollary of 

 Diaposematism or reciprocal influence, may await with 

 equanimity the delivery of attack from any other quarter. 



