C. E. Beecher — Origin and Significance of Spines. 265 



The larva of the Early Thorn Moth as described and illus- 

 trated by Poulton 58 bears a strong resemblance to the twig 

 upon which it rests, even to spiniform processes, axils, and 

 buds (figure 48). Packard 54 cites a striking case of mimicry in 



49. 



Figure 49. Australian Pipe-fish (Phylloptt ryx eques) and frond of sea-weed in 

 lower right hand corner; showing mimicry. -£. (After Giinther.) 



the caterpillar of another genus of moth (Schizura), where the 

 spines and tubercles resemble the serrations of a leaf k ' so that 

 when feeding on the edge of a leaf, the Schizurre exactly imi- 

 tate a portion of the fresh-green serrated edge of a leaf includ- 

 ing a sere, brown, withered spot, the angular, serrate outline of 

 the back corresponding to the serrate outline of the edge of 

 the leatV' 



The Australian Pipe-fish Phyllqpteryx, previously mentioned 

 under the head of spines for protection, shows the mimicry of 

 a plant by an animal to a striking degree. This fish closely 

 imitates a seaweed (figure 49) and Giinther 5 gives the following 

 description of the spines and nlaments on the species Phyllop- 

 teryx eques : " There is a pair of small spines behind the 

 middle of the upper edge of the snout, a pair of minute bar- 

 bels at the chin, and a pair of long appendages in the middle 

 of the lower part of the head. The forehead bears a broad, 

 erect, somewhat four-sided crest, behind which there is a single 

 shorter spine. A horizontal spine extends above each orbit. 

 There is a cluster of spines on the occiput, and from these nar- 

 row appendages are prolonged. On the nape of the neck is a 



Am. Jour. Sci.— Fourth Series, Vol. VI, No. 33.— September, 1898. 

 18 



