The Making of Species 



perfect imitation of Danais chrysippus, by the 

 female of the Hypolimnas. 



Such resemblances can therefore be effective. 



The cases of mimicry usually quoted include 

 very few among mammals, probably, as Beddard 

 suggests, because the species of that class are 

 relatively few. 



The insectivorous genus Tupaia is supposed to 

 mimic the squirrels, which it much resembles as 

 regards form in all respects save the long muzzle ; 

 the idea being that squirrels are so active that 

 carnivorous animals find it hopeless to pursue 

 them. 



On the other hand, there is a squirrel (Rhino- 

 sciurus tupaioides) which is supposed to mimic 

 the tupaias ! It has a similar long muzzle, 

 and the light shoulder-stripe which is a common 

 marking in tupaias. But why the squirrel, 

 one of the group imitated, should in turn become 

 an imitator is not explained. 



The true interpretation of the resemblance is 

 probably that both squirrels and tupaias are 

 adapted to a life in trees. Like profession begets 

 like appearance : the ground-living shrews much 

 resemble mice, and the moles find representatives 

 in mole-like rodents. 



Another case, however, wherein true mimicry 

 may have come into play is that of the South 

 American deer (Cervus paludosus) which singu- 

 larly resembles in colouration the long-legged 



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