546 THE ZOOLOGIST. i 



are tabulated and discussed.* Unfortunately, however, the classifica- 

 tion of several of the cases given by Mr. Distant is open to criticism. 

 For example : in the instances of resemblances in birds, given by Mr. 

 J. H. Gurney (I.e., 1899, p. 460), every case relates to species of the 

 same genus inhabiting different areas — in fact, representative species, 

 or even local races ; and the resemblances between them are simply due 

 to close kinship, and have nothing whatever to do with the subject of 

 mimicry. Again, a reference to the suggested mimicry of the Cape Hunt- 

 ing Dog (Lycaonpictus), of the Spotted Hyaena (Hycena crocuta), is placed 

 under the heading of " Suggested or Probable Mimicry " (I. c, p. 449), 

 although Mr. Lydekker's remarks, showing the difficulty of accepting 

 this proposition, are quoted. Indeed, I have always been at a loss to 

 understand how such a strong and fearless animal as the former — of 

 which Selous has recorded that it " is capable of overtaking and 

 attacking single-handed such a powerful animal as a male Sable 

 Antelope " (' Hunter's Wanderings in Africa,' p. 357) — could be sup- 

 posed to derive any benefit from resembling a cowardly brute like the 

 Hyaena. To anyone acquainted with the two animals in nature, it is 

 abundantly evident that, whatever mimicry there may be between 

 them, it would be in just the reverse direction ; that is, the skulking 

 Hyaena would materially benefit by being mistaken for the bold and 

 gregarious Hunting Dog. 11 



I need only refer to one more example — namely, that of the Honey 

 Bee (I. c, p. 356). It is well known that various species of the dipterous 

 genus Kristalis mimic Bees ; and Mr. Distant quotes the experiments 

 of Prof. Lloyd Morgan with Chickens, and Mr. R. J. Pocock with 

 Spiders, which demonstrate the value of this mimicry. Yet this 

 instance is not placed in the "Demonstrable" category, but in that 

 of " Suggested or Probable," on the ground that " the Bee itself is not 

 absolutely protected by its sting." If such a classification were adhered 

 to, there never would be a case of demonstrated mimicry ; but it must 

 be noted that, on the same page, it is explained that : " By the term 

 1 Demonstrable ' is implied all those instances where protection, abso- 

 lute or partial, has been, or can be, demonstrated by experiment or 

 actual observation." 12 



It now only remains to discuss the objections raised by Mr. Distant 



* The writer may not have referred to every paper that Prof. Poulton 

 has written, but he certainly did write (p. 451) : " Poulton has focussed many 

 observations respecting instances in the Insecta, largely augmented by in- 

 formation received from the well-known coleopterist C. J. Gahan" (cf. Journ. 

 Linn. Soc. xxvi. pp. 558-612 (1898) ) ; a much later paper than that referred 

 to by Mr. Marshall.— Ed. 



