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AFRICAN MIMETIC BUTTERFLIES 



yet an unlimited field for actual experiments, especially those relating to the phenomenon 

 of polymorphism, and to the question of comparative distastefulness. Careful observation 

 on the habits of birds and other insectivorous creatures will yield information of the greatest 

 value. Breeding experiments on a large scale are in the highest degree desirable. We are 

 unacquainted with the larval stages of many of even the commonest butterflies, and the 

 systematic determination of species would be greatly facilitated by notes on these subjects. 

 The case of Papilio dardanus serves to show the surprises which are doubtless in store for 

 those who have the opportunity of working out bionomic questions in the field. If, guided 

 by the information here assembled, naturalists both at home and abroad will endeavour 

 to coUect not only butterflies but also the knowledge which a study of their relations in nature 

 may reveal, then my work, in spite of its many imperfections, will not be entirely without 

 an excuse for its existence. 



