Natural History 505 



the wonder of this protective resemblance only when we study it 

 under natural conditions ; many very gaudy butterflies can hardly 

 be distinguished from flowers when they alight on plants. Many 

 moths in their resting position hide the bright colours of the 

 hind pair of wings with the duller fore-wings, which may nearly 

 resemble lichen or the bark of trees. 



The coloration may afford an effective protection in other 

 ways, by Warning and by Mimicry. Some insects, such as the 

 Wasp or the Lady-Bird beetle, positively court attention with 

 their vivid colouring and markings; they are coloured, not to be 

 hidden, but to be seen. Such insects always have some other form 

 of protection, a sting or an unpleasant taste, which their enemies 

 come to associate with their striking hues and therefore avoid. 

 No doubt conspicuous individuals will be snapped at and killed 

 while birds and other enemies are experimenting, but the enemies 

 learn by experience, and the species with the warning colours 

 gradually attain a position of security. 



1 



Pedigree 



The pedigree of Insects is obscure. They belong to the 

 large group of the joint-legged Arthropods, which shows numer- 

 ous affinities with the ringed worms or Annelids, but also many 

 advances such as the greater development of appendages. In 

 Peripatus and its allies, which are widely distributed over the 

 world, worm-like, velvet-skinned little creatures, shy and noc- 

 turnal in habit, we find living links between Annelids and 

 Insects. In their excretory tubes, muscular arrangement, 

 and hollow appendages they strongly suggest the ringed- 

 worm type, but they combine with these and other Annelid 

 features distinct indications of Arthropod characters, such 

 as the system of breathing tubes and the appendages in the 

 service of the mouth, which reach fuller development in the class 

 of Insects. 



VOL. II 14 



