THE WAY OF THE WILD '^^ 



^^hts as would any other species, but stands with the hinder 

 points of its wings close to the stem, the other portion standing 

 out like a dead leaf not yet fallen. The peculiar long-drawn- 

 out point at the rear of the wing, from its close resemblance to 

 the stem of the leaf, heightens the deception (see Fig. 1 1). 

 Instances could be multiplied indefinitely showing how one 

 rm in nature imitates or more properly resembles another, 

 nerally to the advantage of one or the other, if not of both. 

 For example, certain flies without stings closely resemble bumble- 

 bees, not only in general appearance but also in manner of flight, 

 rhe resemblance might be closer, but it no doubt is some ad- 

 vantage to the impostor and insures him a wider berth from 

 boys, at least until they learn the imposition, after which its 

 advantage is a matter of doubt, as any boy can testify who has 

 j had the satisfaction of tormenting " shade bumblebees." 



Design in nature. The consistent student must not interpret 

 : these and similar facts too literally. The hasty observer and 

 I careless writer sees "design " in every detail. The fact is that 

 i in nature there are many resemblances of structure between 

 i widely separated species, and it is inevitable that similarities 

 j should occur. When once they happen to be of selective value, 

 then natural selection rapidly shapes them up and makes the 

 resemblance closer still. 



For example, the flat, thin structure of the leaf requires some 

 system of ribs and veins for its support. The wing of the 

 butterfly has the same structural necessity and for the same 

 mechanical reason. The two structures, therefore, the one plant 

 and the other animal, are built and must be built upon a similar 

 plan. It is inevitable, therefore, that there should be many close 

 rtructural resemblances, and as the butterfly takes his initial 

 color from the green of the leaf, these resemblances are often 

 still further heightened by remarkable color effects. In many 

 ways, therefore, butterflies resemble foliage. 



Causes of color in animals and plants. The world owes no 

 little of its beauty to the range and variety of color of its plants 



