546 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
are tabulated and discussed.* Unfortunately, however, the classifica- 
tion of several of the cases given by Mr. Distant is open to criticism. 
For example: in the instances of resemblances in birds, given by Mr. 
J. H. Gurney (l.¢., 1899, p. 460), every case relates to species of the 
same genus inhabiting different areas—in fact, representative species, 
or even local races ; and the resemblances between them are simply due 
to close kinship, and have nothing whatever to do with the subject of 
mimicry. Again, a reference to the suggested mimicry of the Cape Hunt- 
ing Dog (Lycaon pictus), of the Spotted Hyena (Hyena crocuta), is placed 
under the heading of ‘‘ Suggested or Probable Mimicry”’ (J. ¢., p. 449), 
although Mr. Lydekker’s remarks, showing the difficulty of accepting 
this proposition, are quoted. Indeed, I have always been at a loss to 
understand how such a strong and fearless animal as the former—of 
which Selous has recorded that it ‘‘is capable of overtaking and 
attacking single-handed such a powerful animal as a male Sable 
Antelope’ (‘ Hunter’s Wanderings in Africa,’ p. 857)—could be sup- 
posed to derive any benefit from resembling a cowardly brute like the 
Hyena. To anyone acquainted with the two animals in nature, it is 
abundantly evident that, whatever mimicry there may be between 
them, it would be in just the reverse direction; that is, the skulking 
Hyena would materially benefit by being mistaken for the bold and 
gregarious Hunting Dog.™ 
I need only refer to one more example—namely, that of the Honey 
Bee (I. c., p. 856). It is well known that various species of the dipterous 
genus Mristalis mimic Bees; and Mr. Distant quotes the experiments 
of Prof. Lloyd Morgan with Chickens, and Mr. R. J. Pocock with 
Spiders, which demonstrate the value of this mimicry. Yet this 
instance is not placed in the ‘‘ Demonstrable”’ category, but in that 
of ‘‘ Suggested or Probable,’’ on the ground that ‘ the Bee itself is not 
absolutely protected by its sting.”’ If such a classification were adhered 
to, there never would be a case of demonstrated mimicry; but it must 
be noted that, on the same page, it is explained that: ‘‘ By the term 
‘Demonstrable’ is implied all those instances where protection, abso- 
lute or partial, has been, or ean be, demonstrated by experiment or 
actual observation.” * 
It now only remains to discuss the objections raised by Mr. Distant 
* The writer may not have referred to every paper that Prof. Poulton 
has written, but he certainly did write (p. 451): ‘“ Poulton has focussed many 
observations respecting instances in the Insecta, largely augmented by in- 
formation received from the well-known coleopterist C. J. Gahan” (ef. Journ. 
Linn. Soe. xxvi. pp. 558-612 (1898) ); a much later paper than that referred 
to by Mr. Marshall.—Ep. 
