56 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE CHAP. 



closely resemble Ants, and several other in- 

 sects mimic Wasps or Hornets. 



Some reptiles and fish have actually the 

 power of changing the colour of their skin so 

 as to adapt themselves to their surroundings. 



Many cases in which the colouring does not 

 at first sight appear to be protective, will on 

 consideration be found to be so. It has, for 

 instance, been objected that sheep are not 

 coloured green ; but every mountaineer knows 

 that sheep could riot have had a colour more 

 adapted to render them inconspicuous, and 

 that it is almost impossible to distinguish them 

 from the rocks which so constantly crop up 

 on hill sides. Even the brilliant blue of the 

 Kingfisher, which in a museum renders it so 

 conspicuous, in its native haunts, on the con- 

 trary, makes it difficult to distinguish from a 

 flash of light upon the water ; and the richly- 

 coloured Woodpecker wears the genuine dress 

 of a Forester the green coat and crimson 

 cap. 



It has been found that some brilliantly 

 coloured and conspicuous animals are either 

 nauseous or poisonous. In these cases the 



