320 Darwin, and after Darwin. 
to secure concealment, it nevertheless exhibits the 
instinct of crouching which is of benefit to all its 
kind, although, from the accident of its own abnormal 
colouring, this instinct is then actually detrimental 
to the animal itself. For example, every sportsman 
F1G. 109.—Gdicnemus crefpitans, showing the instinctive attitude of 
concealment. Drawn from a stuffed specimen in the British Museum, 
$ nat. size, with appropriate surroundings sup, lied. 
must have noticed that the somewhat rare melanic 
variety of the common rabbit will crouch as steadily 
as the normal brownish-gray type, notwithstanding 
that, owing to its abnormal colour, a “ nigger-rabbit ” 
thus renders itself the most conspicuous object in the 
