MAMMALS 27 



the object of the mimicry is attained. The Squirrels 

 are much more abundant than the Tree-Shrews, and 

 this complicates the problem still further, for in mimetic 

 associations it is almost invariably found that the dis- 

 tasteful, or so-called protected form, is very much more 

 abundant than the mimicking form. 



The distastefulness of the Insectivora reaches its 

 culminating point in Gymnura rafflesii, an animal of 

 about the size of a rabbit, but resembling more than any- 

 thing else a big white rat with a long, pointed snout. 

 The body is clothed with a scanty white fur, but the tail 

 is nearly naked : some varieties are blotched with black. 

 It is a somewhat repulsive-looking creature, and it 

 possesses a most disagreeable acrid odour, which makes 

 it an unpleasant captive to keep anywhere near a house. 

 The conspicuous appearance of the animal and there 

 is nothing more conspicuous in the jungle than dead 

 white is correlated with the distasteful odour. This 

 is a pretty general rule in the animal kingdom, and 

 many other examples of it will be noticed in the course 

 of this work. It can readily be understood that if an 

 animal is possessed of an odour or taste disagreeable 

 to its possible enemies, it is of the utmost importance 

 that these properties should be sufficiently advertised, 

 otherwise there is grave danger that the foe will not 

 discover them until their possessor has fallen a victim 

 to the onslaught. The suitable name of " warning 

 colours " has therefore been applied to the various 

 devices whereby certain animals attract attention to 

 their dangerous or distasteful properties. 



The Felidce are represented in Borneo by six species. 

 The largest of these is the Clouded Leopard, Felis 

 nebulosa. Its beautiful skin and the canine teeth are 



