CHAPTER III 
CONSPICUOUS COLOUR 
Ir is not possible to conceive that the colour 
of an animal, in Nature, is purposeless, indif- 
ferent, the result of chance. The colour of 
domesticated animals may be conceived to be 
of such a nature, but if one believes in the 
Origin of Species as expounded by Charles 
Darwin, then the colour of animals in Nature 
must be looked upon as purposeful; and it 
can have but two uses: (1) to make an animal 
inconspicuous, (2) to make it conspicuous. 
This it can only do by contrast ; to consider the 
colour of an animal per se must be meaning- 
less ; only the comparison of its colour with 
that of its surroundings can be of any value. 
Therefore when considering the colour of 
animals, at least three factors must be taken 
into account: (1) the colour of the animal, 
(2) the colour of its environments, and (3) the 
animal’s habits. Without a knowledge of its 
habits, it is impossible to decide whether an 
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