NOTES AND LITERATURE 



MIMICRY 



In some ways it would be a pity if the theory that mimicry has 

 arisen through the operation of natural selection must be dis- 

 carded since it is so ingenious in itself and was originated and 

 fostered by such masters of theoretical biology. However, the 

 old order seems to be surely giving place to new, here, as in other 

 phases of the study of evolution. Since Wallace's "Papilionidre 

 of the Malayan Region" the case of Papilio polytes has been a 

 classic. The females of this butterfly are of three sorts : one like 

 the male polytes, one like P. aristolochim and the third like P. 

 hector. The two latter species are supposed to be distasteful to 

 insectivorous animals while P. polytes is supposed to be edible. 

 The two "models" are numerous in individuals and while "P. 

 hector and the hector form of P. polytes are confined to India 

 and Ceylon, both P. aristolochias and the aristolochke form of P. 

 polytes have a wider range eastward." The case is complete and 

 has been convincing. 



However, Punnett 1 found that in Ceylon 



The following statements may be taken as a fair presentation of the 

 facts: 



1. In the low-country the male form of polytes female is at least as 

 numerous as either of the other forms, and may be the most abundant 

 of the three. 



2. In the northeast of the island, in the hector country, the aristo- 

 lochia? form pobftrs is nearly as abundant as the hector form, though its 

 model is at any rate exceedingly scarce. 



3. Higher up-country, where P. hector is rare or absent and P. 

 aristolochice is common, the hector form of polytes is more abundant 



It is obvious that these statements are not in harmony with the ideas 

 of those who look to the theory of mimicry tor an explanation of the 

 polymorphism that exists among the females of P. polytes. 



His observations concerning the enemies of butterflies con- 

 firm those of other heterodox students, namely: that "as serious 

 enemies of butterflies in the imago state birds may be left out of 



"'Mimicry in Ceylon But 

 Polymorphism," Spolia Zcyh 



