II ON ANIMAL LIFE 57 
brilliant colour is doubtless a protection by 
rendering them more unmistakable. 
COMMUNITIES 
Some animals may delight us especially by 
their beauty, such as birds or butterflies ; 
others may surprise us by their size, as Ele- 
phants and Whales, or the still more marvel- 
lous monsters of ancient times may fascinate 
us by their exquisite forms, such as many micro- 
scopic shells ; or compel our reluctant attention 
by their similarity to us in structure ; but none 
offer more points of interest than those which 
live in communities. Ido not allude to the 
temporary assemblages of Starlings, Swallows, 
and other birds at certain times of year, nor 
even to the permanent associations of animals 
brought together by common wants in suitable 
localities, but to regular and more or less or- 
ganised associations. Such colonies as those 
of Rooks and Beavers have no doubt interest- 
ing revelations and surprises in store for us, 
but they have not been as yet so much studied 
