OF ORN AMENTA TION. 217 



the interspace in which they originate, but among 

 the hundreds of ocellate specimens examined 

 with this point in view, I have failed to find a 

 single ocellus of a simple character which could 

 not be definitely referred to some particular in- 

 terspace. But there are other ocelli, of a complex 

 character, such as those of the Peacock butterfly 

 of Europe (Hamadryas lo), where, assuming it 

 had a similar origin, we cannot possibly say 

 where it belongs ; but in this butterfly, the other 

 markings of the wing are seen directly through 

 the ocelli, as through a veil ; and I believe they 

 can be shown to have arisen in an entirely differ- 

 ent way, by an alteration in the relative position 

 of certain bars and spots common to butterflies of 

 this group. No doubt all other complex ocelli, 

 such as those with spiral annuli, could be shown, 

 upon special study, to have originated in some 

 similar manner. 



After reaching such a stage of complication, 

 and assuming the known tendency to suffusion of 

 markings in butterflies, that is the blending of 

 neighboring spots, we may easily see that, by the 

 amalgamation of adjoining spots in different 

 transverse rows, every conceivable pattern can be 

 explained. There is nothing left to consider but 

 the diversity in color itself ; and observation 

 shows that although there are prevailing tints as 

 well as prevailing patterns in special groups of 



