Marvels of the Universe 



353 



advertises the fact to all whom it 

 may concern ; or a scheme of colour 

 that so admirably harmonizes with 

 their accustomed surroundings as to 

 render the insect all but invisible. 

 Then, again, there is a class of de- 

 fences in which the whole external 

 form has been so modified as to make 

 it bear a ver\' close likeness to some 

 other and uneatable natural object. 



These various defences constitute 

 too \\-ide a subject to be dealt with 

 in a short article. We must content 

 ourselves for the moment with calling 

 attention to a few non-combative 

 defences adopted bj' insects ; not 

 those in which the jaws, the sting, 

 the poison or the terrifying aspect is 

 relied upon, but what we may fitly 

 describe as the self-effacing type of 

 protection. To properly appreciate 

 the efficiency- of protective coloration 

 we must go to living nature. The 

 cabinet drawers of the entomologist 

 will exhibit clearly all the diversities 

 of form and colour by which the 

 naturalist distinguishes one species 

 from another, and may well fill us 

 with admiration for the beauty of 

 colour and design ; but the fullness of 

 that beauty can only be appreciated 

 when we study those same insects in 

 the places where they live, and learn 

 the true significance of everv^ tint 

 and pencilling. The butterflies in the 

 cabinet are chiefly admired for the 

 rich tints with which the upper sur- 

 face of the wings is painted. But 

 this, as a rule, is mere sexual show ; 

 the mar\^el of the butterfly's wing is 

 mainly to be found on the underside. 

 We may watch the apparently joyous 

 flight of the butterfly in the sun, and 

 feel delight in its rich colouring, for 

 it is one of the most brilliantly con- 

 spicuous things in Nature. A cloud 

 passes over the sun, and the butterfly 

 drops upon the nearest herbage. We 

 hurry up to view it at leisure ; but 



I'/loh) ill] 



STICK-LIKE CATERPILLAR. 



In this photograph a caterpillar of the Swallow-tailed 

 o a dead shoot of ivy, and is scarcely to 

 lead twigs. 



[/•'. Kiwct. F.;..S. 



oth is attached 

 distinguished from the 



I'lioln //»] If. ElUHk\ r.L.S. 



CATERPILLAR ON ROSE-SHOOT. 



The caterpillar of the Willow Beauty moth is here shown among the 

 shoots of a rose-tree. Its colouring, form and attitude are such that it is 

 easy to overlook it as one of the branches. 



24 



