72 THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE 



consider how some of them are served by means of 

 what is known as protective-colouration and form. 



III. PROTECTIVE-COLOURATION AND FORM OF 

 ANIMALS 



When we come to consider how some kinds of 

 animals are clothed we may see, in several in- 

 stances, how admirably adapted they are for the 

 environment they frequent and the life they lead. 

 We are more concerned in this particular essay 

 with the remarkable phenomena of protective- 

 colouration and form rather than of habits. 



Recent observations by competent recorders — 

 especially naturalists and explorers who have 

 watched the Tiger in the jungle, the Zebra and the 

 Giraffe upon the plains and deserts, and other 

 animals inhabiting foreign climes — go to prove 

 that a good deal of nonsense has, however, been 

 written as to the protective form and colouration 

 of some well-known denizens of far-oif lands, but 

 there are a great many examples forthcoming of 

 fully authenticated cases close at home to which 

 we may be permitted to direct attention. We will 

 consider a few of the more typical ones in scientific 

 order. This brings us to the Mammals. Among 

 British species few, it may be, deserve special 

 mention, yet I have noticed many times during my 

 pilgrimages in the country instances which vividly 



