280 THE AMEBIC AN NATURALIST [Vol. LI 



vergent evolution, which has been difficult to explain be- 

 cause of the deep-seated misconception that has prevailed 

 regarding- the function of animal coloration. 



Dewar and Finn^*' cite a number of instances of resem- 

 blance between mammals, and others between birds, whose 

 ranges coincide at no point. For the most part these 

 likenesses do not seem comparable with the clearest cases 

 of mimicry among insects in the degree of detailed re- 

 semblance they involve, and scarcely seem to rise above 

 the level of interesting coincidences. It is unquestionably 

 true, nevertheless, that such degree of likeness as may 

 spring up between two species whose bionomic association 

 is impossible on account of differences in geographical 

 distribution, may also arise between species of one region 

 without reference to the action of natural selection di- 

 rected toward the production of resemblance. 



Lockr*' states that Syrphid flies, which closely mimic 

 small bees and wasps whose habits are similar to their 

 own, are surprisingly numerous in southern Japan, and 

 that their resemblance to bees is particularly noticeable, 

 though these are conspicuous by their absence. Hence 

 the question arises, how the flies can benefit by their re- 

 s( mblance to them: to which one must apparently answer, 

 that under the conditions stated, the bee-like disguise can, 

 as such, be of little value. But this query is overshadowed 

 in interest by another: If the Syrphids are unprotected 

 and driven by their enemies to assume the appearance of 

 defended forms, how do they survive in regions where 

 tlieir disguise possesses no suggestion of unpalatability. 



The idea is not to be entertained for a moment that 

 Lcck would be at a loss for an answer. But if the concept 

 of warning coloration be abandoned, there is no reason 

 to suppose bees less perfectly adapted in color and form 

 than other animals to their respective modes of life. Bee- 

 like flies whose ha1)itN reseml)le those of bee^ should there- 



