IV PHBFACE. 



aimed at is to furnish a general notion of tlie facts and 

 theories relating to Animal Coloration, and I trust that 

 nothing of great importance has been omitted. Many of my 

 examples have been selected from animals that may be usually 

 seen in the Zoological Society's Gardens. I have not used 

 insects so much as has Mr. Poultou ; this is not in the least 

 because I do not regard them as furnishing such good material 

 for the exposition of the phenomena and theories of colour ; it 

 is simply because Mr. Poulton's book is, or ought to be^ in the 

 hands of every one interested in the subject ; and acting on 

 this supposition I have thought it advisable to draw more 

 largely upon other groups. ISTevertheless it is impossible not 

 to devote a good deal of space to insects. The theory of 

 Mimicry, for instance, is almost entirely supported by evidence 

 furnished from that group. I am much indebted to Mr. 

 Bateson for numerous references to papers bearing upon the 

 subject of animal coloration, and to Prof. Flower for kindly 

 permitting me to have drawings made of some of the beautiful 

 preparations, illustrating animal coloration, which he had 

 caused to be prepared for the national museum at kSouth 

 Kensington. Other assistance I shall acknowledge in the 

 course of the following pages. 



