Mimicry and Mimicking Theories. 47 



and some allied genera, had confided to me his opinion 

 that many genera had been confused under one, and the re- 

 semblances of the species were due to mimicry. This in 

 no way refers to views published by Fritz Muller or held by 

 Mr. Meldola, as the contention of the entomologist in 

 question is, that the two species do not belong to the same 

 genus, in which he is supported by another and no inconsiderable 

 authority ; and therefore it is necessary for Mr. Meldola to 

 decide this point, and agree with me that both species belong 

 to one genus, before he can bring their resemblances under 

 Fritz Muller's argument. 



In discussing the possibility of "mimicry" between the 

 two species, I remarked that in that view " we must presu- 

 mably consider E. Distanti as the mimicked species, as it 

 possesses a pseudo scent-gland, which may reasonably be 

 considered as adding to its protective or uneatable character " 

 &c. This Mr. Meldola refers to as a fallacious position, and 

 states that u there is not the least Avarrant for the supposition 

 that scent-glands or tufts have any thing to do with distaste- 

 fulness,' 7 and further remarks that, as such organs exist in 

 one sex only*, it is strongly suggestive, if not demonstrative, 

 of the view that they are secondary sexual characters, and as 

 such they are regarded by Dr. Fritz Muller. 



Now, on reference to Dr. Muller's paper, to which we are 

 directed, and which was communicated and edited by Mr. 

 Meldola himself, we read, " the male of Ituna sometimes 

 protrudes his tufts, when he is seized ; so that in this butterfly 

 the odour may serve both to repel enemies and to allure 

 females "f. In discussing the scent-pouches on the posterior 

 wings of D. erippuSj Dr. Muller remarks that, as these organs 

 " open only by a narrow slit, odours could hardly be freely 

 emitted," and asks, " Might not the tufts be introduced into 

 the pouches to be impregnated there with odoriferous matter ?"J 

 If so, for what purpose ? Presumably for the reason given 

 for the scented tufts of Ituna. Mr. Bates has also borne wit- 

 ness that species of Lycorea and Ituna have exsertible glands 

 near the anus, which are protruded when the insects are 

 roughly handled, and that " it is well known that similar 

 organs in other families (Carabidse, Staphylinidie) secrete 

 fetid liquids or gases and serve as a protection to the 

 species " 



M In Thyridia megisto, according to Dr. F. M tiller, the character of 

 the odoriferous tuft has been transferred to the female, thoug-h in a less 

 developed and weaker form." — Transl. by Meldola, Proc. Ent. Soc. 1879, 

 p. xxii. 



t Trans. Ent. Soc. 1878, p. 213. \ Ibid. 



§ Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiii. p. 510. 



