466 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
If the view of original assimilative colouration is reasonable 
and probable, then it should receive support from the generally 
understood derivation of spots and stripes by a process of 
“natural selection,” though, as we suggest, and as will be 
explained later on, natural selection must be regarded as a 
permitting and perpetuating force, rather than as a creative 
agency.* ‘I'wo instances will here suffice for a consideration of 
this point in colouration, and are both based on the observations 
of two competent and excellent observers. The first relates to 
that prominently striped animal the Zebra, and was made by 
Mr. F. Galton :—‘‘ No more conspicuous animal can well be 
conceived, according to common idea, than a Zebra; but on a 
bright starlight night the breathing of one may be heard close 
by you, and yet you will be positively unable to see the animal. 
If the black stripes were more numerous he would be seen as a 
black mass ; if the white, as a white one; but their proportion is 
such as exactly to match the pale tint which arid ground possesses 
when seen by moon-light.” ¢ The second observation was made 
by that renowned sportsman, General Douglas Hamilton, and 
relates to the Spotted Deer and Tiger in India:—“ For example, 
the Axis, or Spotted Deer as it is generally called, is something 
hike the Fallow Deer in colour, only the white spots and markings 
are more distinct, and the body is a brighter red; one would 
imagine such a conspicuous animal could be easily distinguished 
in the forest, but the spots and colour so amalgamate with the 
broken lights and shades that I have often taken a shot at which 
I thought was a solitary Spotted Deer, and have been astonished 
to see ten or twelve dash away. The Tiger, again, with his bright 
body, black stripes, and white markings, is most difficult to see 
in the forest, and even on the open hill side; at three hundred 
or four hundred yards distant not a stripe is distinguishable. 
More than once I have mistaken a Tiger for a light-coloured 
hind Sambur, until I have brought the telescope to bear and seen 
my mistake.” { General Kinloch, as quoted by Lydekker, referring 
* “The origin of protective colours is to be sought in fortuitous variation 
preserved by selection”’ (Dr. Hart Merriam,—Balt. Meet. Am. Soc. Nat.,— 
vide ‘ Science,’ new ser. vol. i. p. 38). 
+ ‘Narr. Explor. in Trop. §. Africa’ (Minerva Lib. Edit.), p. 187. 
{| ‘Records of Sport in Southern India,’ p. 41. 
