24 CONTROLLED NATURAL SELECTION 



being laid down in broken masses, it is 

 painted on in broad flat tints. In this way 

 the maximum contrast is obtained. Flowers 

 are purposely conspicuous, so that insects and 

 birds may see and visit them ; they are 

 coloured with even washes of the primary 

 colours and with white. White daisies, yellow 

 buttercups, blue cornflowers, red poppies, 

 are examples always to hand ; green, grey, or 

 brown flowers form a very small percentage 

 of the whole ; they as a rule do not desire 

 the visits of the hoipolloi of insects, but of 

 one particular insect which they attract by 

 scent or some other method, apart from 

 colour. 



The efficiency of this method of making 

 themselves conspicuous in Nature is patent 

 to everyone who views wild flowers ; they 

 will not be passed by unseen ; on the other 

 hand, brown and green flowers require diligent 

 searching for, with a well- trained eye. The 

 same may be said of edible fruits which present 

 purposely conspicuous colouring ; they are 

 found to be coloured with the primary 

 colours and with black and white, laid down 

 evenly. 



Turn now to animals. Many are undoubtedly 

 protectively coloured with mottled greens, 



