Occasional Notes. 181 
chats, owing to their shape and resemblance to a cat's 
tongue, and many men with true scientific caution for 
long considered them as the outcome of natural forces 
rather than the sure indications of man's presence at so 
remote a period as their position indicated. — P. H. Nind. 
Colour-protection. — Of all nature's freaks there is 
perhaps none more interesting than what is known as 
" Colour-protection." It has long attracted the notice 
of naturalists all over the world, and each day new and 
instructive examples are being brought to light. Among 
the most remarkable instances that have yet been 
recorded, may be mentioned the different species of Leaf 
Insects which so closely resemble, even in the minutest 
detail, withered Autumn leaves. Having lately had 
occasion to ramble much about the forests of this colony, 
I have had ample opportunity afforded me of indulging 
in my favourite study of Natural History, and for the 
benefit of those who may be interested in subjects of 
the sort, I have thought to record a few curious examples 
of colour-protection met with in my peregrinations. 
The strangest of these was a little caterpillar about a 
quarter of an inch in length and not thicker round than 
a No. 10 thread. This little creature bore so close a 
resemblance to a small fungus, commonly found growing 
on the dead leaves about the forest floor, as to render it 
almost impossible to distinguish it from a vegetable 
growth ; it would hold with its anal feet to the stem of 
a dried leaf keeping its body erect, and at the same time 
bending a tiny white head between two pairs of feet 
placed close under its mandibles or jaws, and in this 
