24 CONTROLLED NATURAL SELECTION 
being laid down in broken masses, it is 
painted on in broad flat tints. In this way 
the maximum contrast is obtained. Flowers 
are purposely conspicuous, so that insects and 
birds may see and visit them; they are 
coloured with even washes of the primary 
colours and with white. White daisies, yellow 
buttercups, blue cornflowers, red poppies, 
are examples always to hand; green, grey, or 
brown flowers form a very small percentage 
of the whole; they as a rule do not desire 
the visits of the hoipolloi of insects, but of 
one particular insect which they attract by 
scent or some other method, apart from 
colour. 
The efficiency of this method of making 
themselves conspicuous in Nature is patent 
to everyone who views wild flowers; they 
will not be passed by unseen; on the other 
hand, brown and green flowers require diligent 
searching for, with a well-trained eye. The 
same may be said of edible fruits which present 
purposely conspicuous colouring; they are 
found to be coloured with the primary 
colours and with black and white, laid down 
evenly. 
Turn now to animals. Many are undoubtedly 
protectively coloured with mottled greens, 
