1908.] IN THE MUSTELINE CARNIVORA. 95& 



evident that the two explanations are not mutually destructive ; 

 but if we have to make a choice between the two, that is to say, 

 between the theory that the coloration of the mustelines mentioned 

 in this paper is aposematic or that it is procryptic, I think the 

 balance of evidence is in favour of the former. We have no 

 experimental proof of either so far as these particular species are 

 concerned. We do not know that any Badgers, or Ratels, or 

 Teledus have escaped destruction by their peculiar coloration ; but 

 we are justified in inferi'ing its usefulness to the survival of the 

 species if it has had that effect. So, too, we do not know thr.t 

 any Badgers or Ratels or Teledus have succeeded in capturing 

 living prey in virtue of theii' peculiar coloration; but if they 

 have done so we are justified in inferring the comparative use- 

 lessness of the occurrences to the survival of the species, because 

 these mustelines feed mostly upon food which is insensible to the 

 patterns in question. The fearlessness, fierceness and tenacity 

 of life of these carnivora must also be reckoned with in this 

 connection. 



The theory of warning coloration is intimately connected with 

 that of warning sounds. And it is a fact that many poisonous 

 animals like snakes, scorpions, and very large spiders stridulate 

 or rattle, or produce othei- sounds, when on the defensive or when 

 frightened. It is believed that they advertise themselves by this 

 means and warn their enemies to let them alone. If this be so,, 

 and no other explanation has been offered of the fact, we are 

 justified in inferring that advertisement that appeals to the ear is 

 useful to these specially protected species. The bearing of this 

 ax^gument on the likelihood of the occurrence of advertisement 

 that appeals to the eye, is quite obvious. 



I will only mention one more fact completely in accord with 

 the aposematic as opposed to the procryptic significance of the 

 coloration of the mammals discussed in this paper. A frightened 

 Skunk or Zoiilla with long black and v/hite hairs on end presents 

 exactly the same style of coloration as a common terrestrial 

 Porcupine with black and white quills erected. No one can 

 maintain that the coloration of Porcupines is procrj^ptic for 

 the purpose of capturing pre}'', because they do not feed upon 

 living animals. And no one who has seen them in the dusk, can 

 dispute that the whiteness of the quills makes them conspicuous. 

 In addition to this they I'attle and grunt and stamp, and appear 

 to advertise themselves in all ways at their disposal, and are 

 extremely unpleasant animals to deal with. There seems to me 

 to be no escape from the conclusion that their coloration is apo- 

 sematic. If so, that of Skunks and Zorillas, with the same style 

 of coloration, and equal though difierent unpleasantness, is also 

 probably aposematic ; and fi'om Skunks and Zorillas we pass to 

 Badgers, Teledus, Ratels, and Grisons; all of which are more 

 or less pattenied with white and all gifted with an unpleasant 

 odour. 



Proc. Zool. Soc— 1908, No. LXI. 61 



