iSgi.] THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 29 



1. Protective colouring. A very large number of animals have acquired a colour 

 which harmonizes with their surroundings. In order to see this, we must study them 

 in a state of nature. E.g. The stripes of the tiger accord with the rank grass of the 

 country which it inhabits ; polar animals are white, and animals frequenting deserts 

 are uniformly sand-coloured. 



2. Variability of colour. Animals which occur in different localities vary to suit 

 their surroundings. Further, some animals, especially reptiles and fishes, have the 

 power of changing colour when removed from light to dark places, or vice- versa. 

 Larvae of A . betularia reared amid green leaves and shoots are green ; while those fed 

 among twigs assume the brown colour, with the exception of about 2 per cent, which 

 are green. 



3. Warning colouring. Brilliantly coloured animals are usually protected by 

 stings, or are unpalateable to their enemies. Thus their conspicuous hues serve as 

 danger signals, and help to secure their safety. Brightly coloured larvae are avoided 

 by birds, while green or brown ones are eaten. 



4. Mimicry. Animals protected by stings or otherwise, are often mimicked by 

 others, who thus share their immunity from attacks of enemies. Wasps are m.imicked 

 by insects of other orders. Some insects resemble pieces of stick, leaves, Sec. 



5. Alluring mimicry. Certain animals allure their prey by imita.ting objects 

 which are attractive to them. A species of Mantis from India resembles the flower of 

 an orchis, thus attracting various insects on which to feed. 



6. Aggressive mimicry . A {Volucella bo mbylans) the larvae oi. vvhich feed in the 

 nest of the Humble-bee, mimicks the latter insect, and so gains acc'333 to its nest. 



7. Recognition markings. Animals which live in colonies usually develope some 

 mark by which they are able to recognise one another. Rabbits are enabled to gain 

 a shelter from danger by following the small white tails of others that are nearer 

 their burrows. 



8. Sexual selection. Females of some species exhibit a preference for the most 

 brilliantly coloured males. This has led to the special adornment of the males, and 

 to the general improvement of the species. 



THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 



HISTORY ASSOCIATION. 



January Sth, 1891. — VV. H. Tugwell, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair. Messrs. 

 H. Williams of Hornsey, and T. G. Washford of Dulwich, were elected members. 



Mr. R. Adkin exhibited Boarmia repandata, bred from ova obtained from a moth 

 taken at Westerham. During hybernation the larvae were di\'ided into two equal 

 lots, the one kept on growing privet and the other on growing birch, although each 

 lot produced some few individuals, varying from the majority, there was no marked 

 difference between the bulk of the one lot and the other. Mr. Adkin also exhibited 

 Retinia buoliana. Schiff., snd R. pinicolana, Dbl., bred from larvae collected in the 

 neighbourhood of Poole, the New Forest and Surrey. Those from Poole and the 

 New Forest emerged between June 26th and July 27th and were all buoliana, those 

 from Surrey emerged between July 12th and August 3rd, from July 12th to 22nd, all 

 buoliana, from July 25th to August 3rd, all pinicolana with the exception of one buoliana, 



