COURTSHIP AND MATING OF INSECTS 161 
nant to our esthetic susceptibilities, seems to me to be entirely 
unexplained if we assume that the colours of both are intended 
for the purposes of recognition. But these great differences are 
to be expected if we accept Mr. Darwin’s views; for the colours 
and patterns of the latter division appeal to a vertebrate enemy’s 
sense of what is conspicuous, while those of the former appeal to 
an insect’s sense of what is deautzful. It is, of course, highly 
remarkable that our own esthetic sense should so closely corre- 
spond with that of an insect. I believe, however, that it is 
possible to account for this wonderful unanimity in taste. Our 
Tee, 
Fig 1117.—Orange-Tips (Athocharis cardamines) in Centre (male left; female right). Cabbage-Whites 
(Prerts brassic@) at Sides (male right; female left) 
standards of beauty are largely derived from the contemplation 
of the numerous examples around us, which, strange as it may 
seem, have been created by the zsthetic preferences of the insect 
world.” 
Among our native species the Orange-Tip Butterfly (4xtho- 
charts cardamines, fig. 1117) may probably be taken as a good 
example of courtship coloration. As in most other butterflies, 
these insects bring their wings together when they settle, and are 
then inconspicuous, as the under surfaces of these organs are pro- 
tectively coloured, being white with greenish mottlings. This is 
more particularly true for the female Orange-Tip, which is often 
found sleeping among the blossoms of Wild Chervil (Axchriscus 
sylvestris), with the colour-scheme of which it harmonizes wonder- 
Vou. IV. 105 
