CHAPTER VI 



THE COLOURATION OF ORGANISMS 



The theory of protective colouration has been carried to absurd 

 lengths It will not bear close scrutiny Cryptic colouring 

 Sematic colours Pseudo-sematic colours Batesian and 

 Miillerian mimicry Conditions necessary for mimicry 

 Examples Recognition markings The theory of obliterative 

 colouration Criticism of the theory Objections to the theory 

 of cryptic colouring Whiteness of the Arctic fauna is ex- 

 aggeratedIllustrative tables Pelagic organisms Objectors 

 to the Neo-Darwinian theories of colouration are to be found 

 among field naturalists G. A. B. Dewar, Gadow, Robinson, 

 F. C. Selous quoted Colours of birds' eggs Warning 

 colouration Objections to the theory Eisig's theory 

 So-called intimidating attitudes of animals Mimicry The 

 case for the theory The case against the theory "False 

 mimicry " Theory of recognition colours The theory refuted 

 Colours of flowers and fruits Neo-Darwinian explanations 

 Objections Kay Robinson's theory Conclusion that Neo- 

 Darwinian theories are untenable Some suggestions regard- 

 ing the colouration of animals Through the diversity of 

 colouring of organisms something like order runs The con- 

 nection between biological molecules and colour Tylor on 

 colour patterns in animals Bonhote's theory of pcecilo- 

 meres Summary of conclusions arrived at. 



SINCE the publication of The Origin of 

 Species, naturalists have paid much 

 attention to the colouration of animals 

 and plants, with the result that a large 

 majority of scientific men to-day hold the belief 

 that all, or nearly all, the colours displayed 



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