( xliii ) 



toad : the presence of so large a beetle is of itself a proof 

 of the rapid poisonous action of the secretions of the stomach, 

 as otherwise so large an insect would probably in its struggles 

 have caused considerable laceration. 



It is probable that several of the smaller mammalia, such as 

 mice, hedgehogs, etc., account for a large number of Coleo- 

 ptera, but there seems to be little or no evidence as to species 

 which are tasteful or distasteful to these animals. It is 

 of course well known, that hedgehogs are very partial to 

 Blatticlse. 



We might discuss this part of our subject at much greater 

 length, but enough has been said to prove that whatever may 

 be the case with the Lepidoptera, the Coleoptera are beset 

 by innumerable enemies, and therefore any modification of 

 form or colour or habits, which may enable them to escape 

 from their attacks, must be most useful for the protection and 

 continuance of the race ; in the case of the beetles, at any 

 rate, there is a strong case for Protective Kesemblance and 

 Protective Mimicry. 



Starting then from this point we may say that the Coleo- 

 ptera are protected in the following ways : — 



1. By a very hard integument. 



2. By the assimilation of colour or form to environment 

 (Protective Resemblance). 



3. By adopting colours which are in strong contrast to 

 environment (Warning Colours). 



4. By cryptic or concealing attitudes. 



5. By warning attitudes. 



6. By warning sounds. 



7. By the secretion of distasteful juices or odorous 

 substances. 



8. By resemblance to unpleasant substances, such as the 

 droppings of birds. 



9. By resemblance to well-protected insects other than 

 Coleoptera, such as ants, bees and wasps, and also by imitating 

 other genera and species of the same Order which are plainly 

 distasteful (Batesian Mimicry). 



10. By a general resemblance throughout a large series of 

 species belonging to the same or different genera, families and 



