122 Mr, G. A. K. Marshall on Diaposematism, with reference 



numbers of model and mimic ; and an examination of the 

 occurrence of the angular markings in the species allied 

 to the Amauris and Pa^nlio respectively. 



With regard to the inedibility of dardanus, unfortunately 

 no experiments have been made with this species,* although 

 Mr. Mansel Weale has observed the $ to be captured 

 and eaten by a flycatcher {Terpsiidlione perspicillata) in 

 Cape Colony (Proc. Ent. Soc. 1874, p. 132). But my own 

 observations of the general habits of the species in its 

 natural haunts cannot permit me to regard it as an un- 

 palatable insect, as I should apply that term to an Acrma, 

 Mylothris or Neptis ; and that very accurate observer, 

 Mr. R. Trimen, F.R.S., informs me that he is strongly 

 of the same opinion. He was particularly impressed by 

 the fact that the $ shows a persistent habit of concealing 

 itself beneath the herbage when not actually searching 

 for food ; a habit also noted by the late Colonel Bowker 

 and Mr. Mansel Weale. This behaviour is in striking 

 contrast to that of all S. African species having undoubted 

 nauseous qualities. Again, no one who has seen the $ 

 dardanus at rest can doubt the cryptic value of its under- 

 side colouring, and Mr. Trimen has quoted an observation 

 of the late Mrs. Barber showing the care exercised in select- 

 ing a suitable resting-place ( S. Afr. Butt. ; iii, p. 254),^ 

 another habit which is quite at variance with the assump- 

 tion of inedibility. Finally, when we examine the more 

 primitive and non-mimetic females of the Abyssinian 

 P. antioiorii and the Madagascan P. meriones, from which 

 dardanus is derived, we find that their under-sides are also 

 thoroughly cryptic in character. Thus the balance of 

 evidence certainly appears to be against the supposition 



* Drs. Dixey and Longstaff record that the ^ had a similar smell 

 to that found in P. demodocus and described as " like fusty packing- 

 straw," but in dardanus it was "less musty." The 5 was not 

 investigated, so that it is not certain that this odour may not be 

 merely sexual in character, like the musky odour of male hawk- 

 moths mentioned by Darwin ("Descent of Man," p. 308). It may 

 be noted however that a (J Paj). leonidas examined by Dr. Dixey was 

 considered to have the unpleasant smell of D. chrysippus ; whereas 

 several males smelt by Dr. Longstaff were found to give a "strong, 

 sweet, ' white flower ' scent, followed by something more spicy." A 

 similar discrepancy occurs in their records as to Neptis agatha (Proc. 

 Ent. Soc. 1906, p. v). The exact significance of the observations 

 therefore remains doubtful. 



t A similar observation has been made by Surgeon-Major Clements 

 at Sierra Leone (c/. Proc. Ent. Soc. 1906, p. xxix). 



