The Making of Species 



fully diversified colours of animals the stripes 

 of the zebra, the blotched coat of the giraffe, the 

 spots of the bushbuck, the white face and the 

 rump of the bontebok, to mention only a few- 

 have been coloured either as means of pro- 

 tection from enemies or for the purpose of 

 mutual recognition by animals of the same 

 species in times of sudden alarm." 



So also G. A. B. Dewar a very close 

 observer of nature in England writes, in The 

 Faery Year\ " Few theories in natural history 

 have received more attention of late years than 

 protective or aggressive colour, 'mimicry,' and 

 harmony with environment. . . . To doubt this 

 use of colour to animals seems like inviting back 

 chaos in place of cosmos for abandon the theory, 

 and a world of colour is straightway void of pur- 

 pose, a muddle of chance. So we all like the 

 theory. Some, however, perceive plans to aid 

 the wearer in every colour, tint, shade, and 

 pattern. We may be sceptical of a good many 

 of the cases they cite in support of colour aid, 

 though attracted by the main idea." 



Writing of the commoner British butterflies, 

 he says: ''After a little practice, any man 

 furnished with good eyesight can easily dis- 

 tinguish these butterflies blues, coppers, small 

 heaths, and meadow browns from their perches ; 

 and so we may be sure that the small beast, bird, 

 or insect of prey, with sense of colour or form, 



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