20 MOSTLY MAMMALS 



purpose of warning off foes, both sexes in the above 

 instances having formidable weapons of offence and defence, 

 and being thus perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. 



Probably the black hue of the Asiatic buffaloes and of 

 the typical race of their African relatives was originally 

 developed in the same manner and for the same purpose 

 as in the case of the sable antelope. It may, however, 

 now have acquired a higher significance, and be connected 

 with the general prevalence of blackness among large hoofed 

 mammals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, 

 buffaloes, and, to a great extent, tapirs. Among such 

 animals it will not fail to be noticed that in many instances 

 both sexes are armed with either horns or tusks ; and 

 that where such weapons have been discarded the animals 

 are sufficiently protected either by their huge bodily bulk 

 or by the nature of their haunts. Although we have the 

 testimony of many sportsmen as to the difficulty of seeing 

 an Indian elephant, even at close quarters, when in thick 

 covert, we have yet to learn whether the prevalence of a 

 black or dark grey skin among so many of the larger 

 mammals is or is not for the purpose of protection. But 

 since large herds of animals thus coloured are frequently 

 to be met with in open country, it has probably been 

 developed for some other purpose, although what this may 

 be it is difficult even to conjecture. 



Returning once more to deer, and taking first the case 

 of the fallow-deer, which (with the exception of the dark 

 race) is spotted in summer and uniformly coloured in winter, 

 there seems no doubt that the dappled summer coat is 

 for the purpose of harmonising with the chequered shade 

 cast by the leafy boughs of the trees under which the 

 animals are wont to repose. This harmony has doubtless 

 been noticed by many of my readers, and is well expressed 



