24 THE COLQUES OF ANIMALS 



CHAPTER m 



PROTECTIVE RESEMBLANCES IN LEPIDOPTERA 



THE first and most important use of colour is to 

 enable an animal to conceal itself from its enemies 

 or to approach its prey unseen. 1 



Special and General Resemblances 



These results may be achieved in one of two ways : 

 either the animal may more or less exactly resemble 

 some object which is of no interest to its enemies, or 

 it may harmonise with the general artistic effect of 

 its surroundings, so that it does not attract attention. 

 We may therefore distinguish Special Resemblance, in 

 which the appearance of a particular object is copied 

 in shape and outline as well as in colour, and General 

 Resemblance, in which the general effects of surround- 

 ing colours are reproduced. 



In the latter case it is often difficult to believe, 



1 This was thoroughly appreciated by Erasmus Darwin, who 

 says : ' The colours of many animals seem adapted to their purposes 

 of concealing themselves, either to avoid danger or to spring upon 

 their prey.' Zoonomia, 1794, vol. i. p. 509. 



