386 Studies in the Theory of Descent. 



segments by correlation ; and it may now have 

 occurred that in solitary cases the eye-spots 

 acquired another significance (C. Tersa ?), becom- 

 ing of use as a disguise by resembling berries or 

 flower-buds. It is also conceivable that the eye- 

 spots may in other cases have been converted 

 into a warning sign of distastefulness. 



In all those larvae which possessed purely terrify- 

 ing markings, however, not only was the original 

 protective colouring preserved, but in most of them 

 this colour gradually became replaced by a better 

 one (adaptation of the adult larva to the soil). 

 The oblique stripes imitating the leaf-ribs also are 

 by no means lost, but are almost always present, 

 although but feebly developed, and often only 

 temporarily. 



The pattern formed by the oblique stripes may 

 also be retained, even with perfect adaptation to 

 the soil, and may be converted to a new use by 

 losing its sharpness, and, instead of imitating defi- 

 nite parts of plants, may become transformed into 

 an irregular and confused marking, and thus best 

 serve to represent the complicated lights and 

 shadows, stripes, spots, &c., cast on the ground 

 under low-growing plants from between the stems 

 and dead leaves. 



Just as in the case of ocellated species where cater- 

 pillars without eye-spots may retain and newly 

 utilize their older markings, so larvae havingoblique 

 stripes with, the most diversely coloured edges may 



