7^ 



MIMICRY. 



become of the same colour as its immediate surroundings. 



As examples we may cite the chrysaHdes or pupae of many 



butterflies, which 

 Fig. 25. — Hypolimnas Missirus. may be any shade 



of brown, golden or 

 green, according to 

 their surroundings. 

 The common frog, 

 thecuttle-fish,cham- 

 eleon, and many 

 fishes are familiar 

 examples. Protect- 

 ive coloration is also 

 of almost universal 



A. A male. 



B. Same species but a female mimicking C. 



C. Danais chrysippus^ a noxious species unmolested 



by birds. 



occurrence amongst 

 mammals. The out- 

 line of the body is 

 destroyed by spots 

 or stripes or there is 

 a uniform colour 

 like its surround- 

 ings. In othercases 

 there may be an 

 almost ludicrous re- 

 semblance to inani- 

 mate objects or parts 

 of plants. We may 

 take as an example 

 the familiar Indian Callima. This butterfly has the upper 

 surface of the wings gorgeously coloured with yellow, white 

 and metallic blue. On the under surface there is a dull 

 brown pattern which closely resembles the dried leaf of a 

 common tree. When the butterfly settles the wings close, 

 and the sudden change from a bright colouring to a dull 

 leaf-like tint and shape serves to effectively remove it from 

 the vision of its pursuer. It should be noted that we have 

 here a "contrast effect." The more gorgeous the upper 

 surface the more sudden and effective is the change. 

 Hence the bright colours of the upper surface may 

 indirectly conduce to protection. Other insects imitate the 

 droppings of birds and thus obtain immunity. 



