86 



Animal Life and Intelligence. 



have noticed how wonderful is the protective resemblance 

 to a twig when the larva is still and motionless, for the 

 very reason that the resemblance is so marked that the 

 organism at that time escapes, not only casual observation, 

 but even careful search. Fig. 19 gives a representation 

 of a locust with special protective resemblance to a leaf — 

 not a perfect leaf, but a leaf with fungoid blotches. This 

 insect and the stick-caterpillar maybe seen in the insect; 

 exhibits on the basement at South Kensington, having 

 been figured from them by the kind permission of Professor 

 Flower. 



Fig. 19. — A locust (Cycloptera speculata) -which closely resembles a leaf. 

 (From an exhibit in the British Natural History Museum.) 



Perhaps one of the most striking instances of special 

 protective resemblance is that of the Malayan leaf-butterfly 

 (Kallima 'paralecta) . So completely, when the wings are 

 closed, does this insect resemble a leaf that it requires a 

 sharp eye to distinguish it. These butterflies have, more- 

 over, the habit of alighting very suddenly. As a recent 

 observer (Mr. S. B. T. Skertchly) remarks, they " fly rapidly 

 along, as if late for an appointment, suddenly pitch, close 

 their wings, and become leaves. It is generally done so 

 rapidly that the insect seems to vanish." * Instances might 



* Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, September, 1889, p.. 209, quoted by Poulton, 

 " Colours of Animals," p. 55. 



