BUTTERFLY ESTHETICS. 155 



mates. We must not, however, take too 

 human a measure of their capacities in this 

 respect. It is sufficient to believe that the 

 insect derives some direct enjoyment from 

 the stimulation of pure colour, and is heredi- 

 tarily attracted by it wherever it may show 

 itself. This pleasure draws it on, on the one 

 hand, towards the gay flowers which form its 

 natural food ; and, on the other hand, towards 

 its own brilliant mates. Imprinted on its 

 nervous system is a certain blank form 

 answering to its own specific type ; and when 

 the object corresponding to this blank form 

 occurs in its neighbourhood, the insect blindly 

 obeys its hereditary instinct. But out of two 

 or three such possible mates it naturally 

 selects that which is most brightly spotted, 

 and in other ways most perfectly fulfils the 

 specific ideal. We need not suppose that the 

 insect is conscious of making a selection or 

 of the reasons which guide it in its choice : 

 it is enough to believe that it follows the 

 strongest stimulus, just as the child picks out 



