238 NOVEMBER 



would in the course of many generations be repre- 

 sented by scarlet descendants, or else by none. 



And thus it is with insects and their warning 

 colours. An animal that "tastes nasty" is wise to 

 advertise the fact, and those that feel a prejudice 

 against the idea of being eaten are also wise in 

 imitating though unconsciously and unintentionally 

 those which are unpleasant to the taste, so that 

 they also may escape. 



There are many examples to be found in the 

 insect world. The ladybird is a most nauseous 

 mouthful, offensive to any enemy that should 

 attempt to make a meal off it. It is coloured red 

 and black in a pattern easily recognisable, and thus 

 escapes destruction. The wasp and the hornet are 

 provided with stings which might cause the death 

 of an attacking enemy. But in the struggle they 

 also might die, therefore they provide themselves 

 with a yellow and black uniform which their foes 

 are careful to avoid. 



But there are many insects still left to be preyed 

 upon insects perfectly edible and quite delicious 

 to the palate, and these have to protect them- 

 selves. They set about doing so, in many cases, 

 by imitating either the inedible or the stinging- 

 insects. Some of the moths are very successful in 

 this respect ; those, for instance, which are called 

 the hornet clear-winged moths carrying their re- 

 semblance to a hornet or a large wasp so far that 

 many human beings would make a hasty departure 

 when they appeared. These moths are so careful 

 to carry out the illusion that, when threatened, they 

 even waggle their tails about, as if they were going 



