THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 41 
the very agent by which it secures protection in the forest. 
The explanation of this is that we are prone to fail adequately 
to appreciate the tones and tints of inanimate nature, and that 
we often make little or no allowance for the infinite variations 
and complications caused by the ceaselessly changing plan of 
light and shade upon colours which of themselves are far from 
uniform. Few spiders could appear more conspicuous when 
viewed in the cabinet than Miswmena lactea, or its variety 
tristanta, yet upon certain plants these are rarely detected 
unless in motion. The former is, as its name implies, milky 
white, and it invariably hunts its prey upon plants that bear 
white flowers, while the latter lurks among the golden 
blossoms of Tristania laurina. Moreover, both, when at rest, 
pose their bodies in such a manner as to add to the general 
effect. The resemblance in each case must be regarded as 
protective and attractive—the former because it assists the 
Arachind in evading natural foes, and the latter because it 
attracts insects upon which the spider feeds. Many spiders 
that are remarkably conspicuous when resting in their webs 
are practically hidden when resting on a leaf or twig, the hues 
of which harmonise with their own Among arboreal species 
all shades of green, brown and grey occur. Some simulate 
bits of stick, withered leaves, and others green leaves or 
buds with mock holes as though attacked by leaf-eating insects 
or bud-burrowing worms. Governed by the law of Natural 
Selection, tints of animals frequently undergo modifications in 
order to adapt the latter to altered conditions of surroundings. 
In tracks of bush that have been fire-swept, specimens are 
found so closely resembling charred branches or bark, that 
unless in motion it is impossible to detect them. Mr. A. T. 
Urquhart, a well-known naturalist, has noted the same 
phenomenon in New Zealand. The habit of lying motionless 
when alarmed is common with some species, while others drop 
out of their webs, and falling to the ground, feign death 
Numerous species of Gasteracantha are admirably protected. 
Individuals of this genus have a hard chitinous body armed 
with sharp stout spines, and although exposed positions are 
always chosen, no bird or lizard ever molests them. 
It is well known that hairy caterpillars are immune from the 
attack of birds and lizards, and that is the reason they are so 
common. Numbers of spiders are similarly clothed, and many 
of these are amongst the most uncanny of their class. 
Examples of these may be collected wherever there is any 
bush. The obnoxious odours and flavours of some insects, as 
in butterflies of the Danaide and Heliconidie, render them safe 
from the raids of natural enemies. Thus, Thomas Belt, in his 
delightful work “ The Naturalist in Nicaragua” tells us that 
when he tried to feed his pet monkey with some of the latter, 
