PEOTECTIVE MIMICRY. 217 



to those which have converted a terrestrial quadruped into a 

 fish-like creature, may be responsible for the " mimicry " of 

 ants by certain spiders. To return to colour resemblances 

 between not nearly allied forms. 



In various parts of the world there are spiders which mimic 

 ants. Mr. Pickard-Cambridge instances among British species 

 Micaria scintillus ; to be sure that the creature is really a 

 spider and not an ant " requires the second look of even a 

 practised eye." Prof. Peckham has stated that he is ac- 

 quainted with at least seventy-five species from North America 

 which look like ants. Mimicking spiders also occur in South 

 Africa. The mimicry is supposed to have one meaning in one 

 case, and another meaning in another case ; it may be aggressive 

 sometimes, protective at other times. 



The late Mr. Belt believed that a spider which lived among 

 ants in Nicaragua also lived upon them ; its resemblance to 

 the ants lulled them into security. Mr. Poulton suggests that 

 more probably the spiders avoid, by mimicking ants, the attacks 

 of insectivorous birds. 



Neither suggestion seems to entirely suit the case : to begin 

 with, the ants are " bold and fearless," and therefore no 

 disguise is needful on the part of the spiders; besides, ants are 

 not as a rule either dull of comprehension or mild in their 

 behaviour towards intruders. Dr. McOook,'* speaking of the 

 supposed mimicry between the spider Simonrlla americana and 

 the Texas leaf-cutting ant, is disinclined to believe that it 

 would be safe in the midst of a swarm of the predaceons ants. 

 Ants, moreover, are not by any means avoided by birds ; Dr. 

 McCook quotes a number of birds which commonly feed upon 

 ants : the Formicariidte, like the Bee-eaters, have perhaps had 

 their name conferred upon them on account of this habit. It 

 * '■ Americm Spiders," p. Hf)?. 



