412 SAVAGE SUDAN 



(especially the fatal fault of loose definition), I suggest laying 

 down the following rules and exceptions as axiomatic : 



Axioms. 



1. That absolute immobility, on the part of the object itself, 

 is essential ; or, to put it in other words, that the slightest 

 movement, even of a part, is fatal to the value of any pro- 

 tective principle. 



[Obviously this limits "colour-protection" almost ex- 

 clusively to the lowlier and less mobile forms of life ; nor 

 is it an unduly overstrained deduction to add that an 

 absolutely immobile creature is thereby protected, regard- 

 less of its colour.] 



2. That however closely a creature's colours may happen 

 to agree with those of its habitual environment, still that fact 

 in itself alone has no bearing on "protection" unless the 

 creature in question is (i) conscious that its colour (and equally 

 its immobility) are factors making for its safety ; and then (2) 

 purposely acts upon that knowledge. 



3. That any analogy drawn from domestic creatures, or 

 from animals in captivity is, at least presumptively, deceptive. 

 To understand Nature's ways, you must go to Nature herself. 



4. That under no conditions whatever was "colour-protec- 

 tion" ever designed by Nature even so far as it goes as 

 against modern MAN. Nature never contemplated cordite. 



5. That indistinctness of colours or colour-patterns as seen 

 from a distance has no relevancy whatever. Such conditions 



merely concern the limitations of human eyesight. Moreover, 

 no large animal needs protection from natural enemies at, 

 say 500 yards, as is apparently assumed nor at 300, rarely 

 (if ever) even so far as 100 yards. 



6. That such terms as "shadow stripes," "counter-shading," 

 and the like are, as used, chiefly fantastic and artificial. 

 Shadow presupposes covert, and in proportion as an animal 

 is hidden from view by intervening obstacles, or the shade of 

 them, so its local colour becomes immaterial. 



Exceptions. 



7. That exception be made of certain females during their 

 breeding period, together with their young until mature ; also, 



