IX 



VARXIXG COLORATIOX AXD JIBIICRY 



24; 



insects are black, -with the apex of the fore -wings ochre coloured, 

 and the outer half of the hind wings bright orange. The 

 accompanying -n'oodcuts (for the use of Avhich I am indebted 

 to ]\Ir. John ]\Iurray of the Challenger Office) -well exhibit their 



strikinar resemblance to each other. 



Fig. 24.— Opthalmis lincea (Agaristidse). Artaxa simulans (Liparidae). 



In Africa exactly similar phenomena recur, species of Papilio 

 and of Diadema mimicking DanaidiB or Acrseidse with the 

 most curious accuracy. Mr. Trimen, who studied this subject 

 in South Africa, has recorded eight species or varieties of 

 Diadema, and eight of Papilio, which each mimic some 

 species of Danais ; while eight species or varieties of Panopsea 

 (another genus of Xymphalidi^), three of Melanitis (Eury- 

 telidae), and two of Papilio, resemble -nath equal acciu-acy 

 some species of Acrrea.^ He has also independently observed 

 the main facts on which the explanation of the phenomenon 

 rests, — the unpleasant odour of the Danais and Acraea, extend- 

 ing to their larvae and pupae ; their great abundance, slow 

 flight, and disregard of concealment ; and he states that while 

 lizards, mantidae, and dragonflies all hunt butterflies, and the 

 rejected ^nngs are to be found abundantly at some of their 



} See Trans. Linn. Soc, vol. xxvi., with two coloured plates illustrating 

 cases of niimicrv. 



