250 Form and Color in Nature. 



doubtless always existed. Suppose that at some time a va- 

 riation in color occurred simultaneously with an increased 

 secretion of honey, as we call it, an occurrence which we 

 may assume would inevitably take place. This variation 

 would tend to be perpetuated and to increase, because it 

 would be as a signal held out for assistance, to secure exten- 

 sion and propagation. So in regard to increase in size on the 

 part of the flowers, or other changes to meet the necessities 

 of the situation, and make sure the perpetuation of the race. 

 At the same time adaptation to the surroundings must have 

 continued in other directions, and forms and habits must 

 have been varied accordingly. 



Now, these modifications of color would have been of no 

 possible advantage in the direction which I have indicated 

 unless the insects could recognize them. It therefore fol- 

 lows that as the colors were developed, by reaction the color 

 sense was developed and increased in the insects. Some natu- 

 ralists have seemed to doubt whether any real color sense or 

 enjoyment of color exists on the part of insects. After the 

 investigations which have been made during late years, how- 

 ever, there is no l6nger any possible room for doubt as to 

 the existence of the sense, at least. Among other experi- 

 ments, those made in regard to the color sense in wasps, by 

 Mr. and Mrs. Peckham, of Milwaukee, were extremely 

 painstaking and elaborate, and should certainly set this 

 question at rest forever. As to the matter of enjoyment of 

 color, that is, of course, a far more difficult question to an- 

 swer. Grant Allen's theory is, that the exercise of the color 

 sense, developed in the manner which I have indicated, be- 

 came a natural function, and that all natural functions in 

 their normal exercise are pleasurable. He assumes, there- 

 fore, that it is not extravagant to believe that, even in or- 

 ganisms of no higher stage than this, an actual taste for or 

 enjoyment of color may have arisen, and that this may have 

 had a not unimportant effect upon the color of the insects 

 themselves through sexual selection, a subject in regard to 

 which I shall have more to say in a few moments. 



So much, or so little, for the flowers and the insects ; the 

 fruits and the birds seem to have had a somewhat similar 

 relation. But the fruits have sought to secure their distri- 

 bution in many other ways besides. Technically, the fruit is 

 the seed vessel with the seeds. Primarily, it was probably 

 very minute and simple, and the seeds when ripe fell directly 

 to the ground and quickly germinated. But as space be- 



