vii DEFENCES OF INSECTS 257 



between specially protected species, even between 

 most distantly related groups, the similar forms 

 possess nauseous attributes, although they may 

 possess them more or less completely. But in 

 Mimicry the mimicking species are entirely wanting 

 in unpleasant properties, they exist by deceptively as- 

 suming the appearance of forms in which such pro- 

 tection is strongly marked. In the former cases 

 the warning colour always acts its own true part. It 

 is an indication, as effectual as possible, a warning 

 to enemies of real inedibility or danger. As regards 

 true Mimicry, so far as the unprotected mimickers are 



FIG. 53. Dorsal view of the caterpillar of the Small Elephant Hawk Moth 

 (Chcerocampa porccllns) in its alarming attitude; the posterior "eyes" are 

 inconspicuous in this species ; from Weismann. 



concerned it is a false signal, a proclamation of a bad 

 quality which has no existence .in fact. 



Mimicry is an essentially appropriate term for that 

 which it is intended it should designate. It implies 

 deception, mere imitation, a copy, unreality, and this 

 is exactly the character of the resemblances of the 

 unprotected forms in this class of cases. Exception 

 has been taken to the word, because it is ordinarily 

 used in the sense of voluntary imitation, and of 

 course the mimicry here alluded to is not of a con- 

 scious nature. Hardly anyone will go so far as to 

 believe that the actual volition of the insects has 



s 



