Purpose in Beauty. 



259 



safely gauge the discrimination and taste of the lower animals 

 may deny that the female Argus pheasant can appreciate 

 such refined beauty ; but he will then be compelled to admit 

 that the extraordinary attitudes assumed by the male during 

 the act of courtship, by which the wonderful beauty of his 

 plumage is fully displayed, are purposeless_ ; and this is a 

 conclusion which I for one will never admit." 



The illustration, by the late Mr. T. W. Wood, speaks for 

 itself ; its accuracy of detail is remarkable, and I have much 

 pleasure in having been accessory to the publication of the 

 first correct delineation of the display of the Argus pheasant 

 that has been produced. 



