PROTECTION BY MIMICHT. 



383 



insects is familiar with numerous instances of this kind. Many- 

 birds and quadrupeds that are regularly hunted by men have 

 become extremely rare in many places, because, though they are 

 to a great degree protected against their enemies among other 

 animals, by the resemblance of the colours of their feathers or 



Fig. 102. — Grasshoppers that are protected by then- resemhlance to leaves, a, Phyllium 

 siccifoUum, feeds on leaves and mimics fresh leaves. 6, AcaiUhopa sp.. one of tlie 

 Mandda, feeding on creatures which it captures among dry vegetable matter ; it exactly 

 mimics dry leaves. Froui tlie Plulippines. Half natural size. 



fur to the objects among which they live, man can employ a 

 variety of means of attack or pursuit against which the protec- 

 tion of resemblance is ineffectual. The zoologi.st who should 

 attempt to capture the perfectly tran.sparent creatures which 

 swim at the surface of the sea without using a net for straining 



