The Making of Species 
he wrote: “As some writers have felt much 
difficulty in understanding how the first step 
in the process of mimicry could have been 
effected through natural selection, it may be 
well to remark that the process probably com- 
menced long ago between forms not widely 
dissimilar in colour” (Descent of Man, roth Ed., 
p- 324). Such a statement is of course quite 
inconsistent with the Neo-Darwinian position. 
‘‘The conclusion which emerges most clearly,” 
writes Poulton (Zssays on Evolution, p. 232), “is 
the entire independence of zoological affinity 
exhibited by these resemblances ; and one of the 
rare cases in which Darwin’s insight into a bio- 
logical problem did not lead him right was when 
he suggested that a former closer relationship 
may help us to a general understanding of the 
origin of mimicry. The preservation of an 
original likeness due to affinity undoubtedly 
explains certain cases of mimicry, but we cannot 
appeal to this principle in the most remarkable 
instances.” 
It is unnecessary to labour this point. It is 
surely evident to everyone with average intelli- 
gence that, until the resemblance between two 
forms has advanced a considerable way, the like- 
ness cannot be of utility to either, or at any rate 
of sufficient utility to give its possessor a survival 
advantage in the struggle for existence. Until 
it reaches this stage, natural selection cannot 
234 
