3 o4 THE PLACE OF MIMICRY 



interpretation was offered by the late Mr. J. Jenner Weir, 1 

 who brought forward evidence that the bright colours 

 are also of value in diverting the attention of an enemy. 

 Hence the insect is likely to be seized by the fragile 

 hind wing, and to gain an additional chance of escape. 

 The hind wings of recently emerged moths are often 

 found chipped and torn as though they had been seized 

 in this manner. Protection afforded in this latter way 

 perhaps belongs more properly to a section of the 

 succeeding division of the subject — Warning or Apose- 

 matic Colours (see p. 325). 



9. The Gregarious Habit may assist Concealment. — 

 Although the gregarious habit is more commonly asso- 

 ciated with, and tends to intensify the effects of Warn- 

 ing Colours, examples are known where cryptic larvae 

 packed closely side by side produce the appearance 

 of a brown patch on a leaf. While some of the details 

 of the resemblance of a group of African Flatidae 

 (Homoptera), as described and figured by Professor 

 J. W. Gregory, 2 have not been supported by later 

 observations, yet the main conclusion that they represent 

 together a cluster of flowers and unopened buds has 

 been entirely confirmed. 3 



10. Adjustable Protective Resemblance. — In this, the 

 highest and most perfect form of concealment as an aid 

 in the struggle for life, an individual can change its colour 

 into any tint which would be appropriate in any environ- 

 ment normal to the species. Such changes are of two 

 kinds : — 



a. Rapid, a response to Dynamic Conditions, in which 

 owing to the rapid movements of the organism one 

 environment is exchanged for another with speed, and 

 any number of times. In such forms the adjustment is 

 effected rapidly, and can be effected any number of times. 



b. Slozu, a response to the Static Conditions of 



1 Trans. Ent. Soc, Lond., 1869, pp. 22-3. 



J The Great Rift Valley, London, 1896, pp. 273-5, an ^ Frontispiece. 



3 S. L. Hinde in Trans. Ent. Soc, Lond., 1902, p. 695 : see also the 

 reproduction in PI. xxvi of Mrs. Hinde's drawings of a cluster of living 

 insects. 



