58 THE THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION 
Resemblances can only be properly explained as 
representing cases of mimicry when both the species 
concerned—the mimic and the mimicked—inhabit the 
same locality ; but plenty of cases of matching between 
the colour patterns of insects which live in quite 
different parts of the world could also be pointed out. 
Let us take a concrete example. Everyone is familiar 
with the flower-frequenting flies (Syrphid@) which are to 
be seen hovering about plants in sunny weather. These 
insects closely mimic the appearance of various small 
bees and wasps, the habits of which are similar. Here, 
then, is surely a case where the deceptive resemblance 
to an animal well armed in its sting must cause pro- 
spective enemies to let these flies alone. In Southern 
Japan, as Dr. Andrez pointed out to me, flies of this 
kind are surprisingly numerous, and their resemblance 
to bees particularly noticeable. So abundant are they 
that, from the point of view of the flowers which they 
visit, these flies doubtless provide an efficient substitute 
for the bees of other countries, which are here con- 
spicuous by their absence. But if real stinging insects 
are wanting, or even very scarce, the supposed enemies 
of the flies can have no experience of the ill-effects 
produced by catching them. How, then, can these 
flies benefit from their resemblance to bees ? 
This kind of thing must make us somewhat sus- 
picious of supposed cases of mimicry even between 
species possessing the same range. 
When the ideas of mimicry and protective resem- 
blance are carried into the vegetable kingdom, as they 
have been by some writers, absurdities are soon found 
