284 



IRE AMERICAN NATURALIST 



[Vol. LI 



group is a combination of hues well suited upon the aver- 

 age to render them inconspicuous in such places as they 

 commonly frequent. If this be so, the initial step toward 

 the production of new cases of mimicry might be any one 

 of many variations in mode of nutrition or reproduction, 

 which would lead representatives of the first family to 

 spend their lives after the manner of the second. Reason 

 has already been given for believing that convergence in 

 color would probablv accompanv or follow convergence in 

 ha])it. 



The new colors would undoubtedly appear in patterns 

 hit uely determined by and reflecting the Pierian ancestry. 

 Among fishes, as has been stated, a primitive color pat- 

 tern peculiar to one or common to several closely related 

 families is sometimes readily recognizable, in which dis- 

 tinct elements are apparent, now definite, now diffuse, 

 mere stains of dyes that are not permanent. It is to be 

 expected no less in insects that the family patterns, like 

 finely wrought ornaments cast into the melting-pot, will 

 be reshapen and serve new purposes. But from the welter 

 of cliange and recombination which this involves may 

 <-oiii(' (iiicc ill many times a new grouping of characters, 

 \\ liicli suggests tlic ])attern of another race. At this point 

 natural selection directed toward the production of a pro- 

 tective design painted in colors appropriate to the en- 

 vironment may yield to selection working in the direction 

 of resemblance. If so, a new pattern may be developed 

 in the same protective colors and coupled with such 

 change in the shape of the wings, or in other characters, 

 as confers the additional advantage of being mistaken for 

 a species which enjoys some measure of immunity. 



Kitlier in organization or development most am 

 -i\(' evidence of changes in habit much greater th" 

 initial one herein postulated. Yet admit that these 

 iu-i-wr. and what is already partly proved, that col 

 r,irr< latt'd witii lialnt throughout the animal kingdo'-' 

 a I lienrctical .liniciilty that has engaged the attent' 

 adherents and opponents of the mimicry hypotheses 



