220 DARWINISM chap. 



It is interesting to note that these markings for recognition 

 are very slightly developed in the antelopes of the woods and 

 marshes. Thus, the grys-bok is nearly uniform in colour, except 

 the long black-tipped ears ; and it frequents the wooded moun- 

 tains. The duyker-bok and the rhoode-bok are wary bush- 

 haunters, and have no marks but the small white patch 

 behind. The wood-haunting bosch-bok goes in pairs, and has 

 hardly any distinctive marks on its dusky chestnut coat, but 

 the male alone is horned. The large and handsome koodoo 

 frequents brushwood, and its vertical white stripes are no 

 doubt protective, while its magnificent spiral horns aftbrd easy 

 recognition. The eland, which is an inhabitant of the open 

 country, is uniformly coloured, being sufficiently recognisable 

 by its large size and distinctive form ; but the Derbyan eland 

 is a forest animal, and has a jDrotectivelj^ striped coat. In like 

 manner, the fine Speke's antelope, which lives entirely in the 

 swamps and among reeds, has jDale vertical stripes on the 

 sides (protective), Avith white markings on face and breast for 

 recognition. An inspection of the figures of antelopes and 

 other animals in V^^ood's Natural Ilistori/, or in other illustrated 

 works, will give a better idea of the peculiarities of recognition 

 markings than any amount of description. 



Other examples of such coloration are to be seen in the 

 dusky tints of the musk-sheep and the reindeer, to Avhom 

 recognition at a distance on the snowy plains is of more 

 importance than concealment from their few enemies. The 

 conspicuous stripes and bands of the zebra and the quagga are 

 probably due to the same cause, as may be the singular crests 

 and face-marks of several of the monkeys and lemurs.^ 



^ It may be tliouglit that sucli extremely conspicuous markings as those of 

 the zebra woukl be a great danger in a country abounding witli lions, leopards, 

 and other beasts of prey ; but it is not so. Zebras usually go in bands, and 

 are so swift and wary that they are in little danger during the day. It is in 

 the evening, or ou moonlight nights, when they go to drink, that they are chiefly 

 exposed to attack ; and Mr. Francis Galton, who has studied these animals in their 

 native haunts, assures me, that in twilight they are not at all conspicuous, 

 the stripes of white and black so merging together into a gray tint that it is 

 very difhcult to see them at a little distance. We have here an admirable 

 illustration of how a glaringly conspicuous style of marking for recognition may 

 be so arranged as to Ijecome also protective at the time when protection is 

 most needed ; and we may also learn how impossible it is for us to decide 

 on the inutility of any kind of coloration without a careful study of the 

 habits of the sj)ecies in its native country. 



