960 Marvels of the Universe 
a less fantastic field of research. The development of warning sounds, markings and colours, as 
well for the purpose of defence as for danger-signals, is a well-recognized means used by Nature 
for the protection of her species. By this means the porcupine preserves itself from aggressive 
enemies and by it the caterpillar of the Cinnabar Moth is made immune from the attacks of birds. 
But if colour can be adopted for protective purpose, why not form? and _ possibly herein lies the 
reason for the assumption by the Lantern-fly of such a grotesque head-dress ; for not only are they 
curious of shape and disproportionate of size, but in the case of the Lantern-fly the mask is 
ornamented with vivid markings of red 
and yellow and blue—essentially warning 
colours. These colours, however, soon fade 
after death. 
There are about twenty known species 
of Lantern-flies and all are inhabitants of 
tropical countries. The two best known 
species are those shown in the illustrations. 
Of these, the Torch-fly comes from China. 
A good specimen will be about two inches 
long. The colourings vary from pale 
apple-green of the wings to the deep, ruddy 
amber colour of the head, and the brilliant 
orange of the under-wings. The Lantern- 
fly is a much larger species and will 
measure as much as five inches across the 
expanded wings. Except for the head, 
of which mention has already been made, 
the colouring is subdued; olive greens, 
yellows and browns being the chief con- 
stituents. It is a native of tropical South 
America. 
Mele WWOLUIMON Ole Wee 
HORSE 
BY REV. H. N. HUTCHINSON, F.G.S., F.Z.S. 
OOD) ; BEA AERE: Co WHEN Tue theory of evolution in the world of 
THE TORCH-FLY. : en eT 
The head of this curious insect is developed into a hollow and ife, ONY accepte yy heen © natural- 
semi-transparent horn. The upper wings are transparent and green, ists and geologists, has been greatly 
with yellow ringed dots; the under wings are orange, with a broad Thy d : h d f B ff. 
black band. It is a native of China, and is shown a little smaller strengt ene since the ays Oo ulton, 
than natural size. Lamarck, Erasmus Darwin and Charles 
Darwin, by the great and remarkable increase in our knowledge of extinct animal types, brought 
about by geological discoveries. Out of all this mass of evidence, no more complete case can be 
found than that afforded by the series of fossil horses discovered in Europe and America, but 
chiefly in the latter country. Through these fortunate discoveries, we can now read the history of 
this noble and useful animal more fully than that of any other quadruped, reptile, or bird. It is 
perhaps hardly necessary to point out that the modern horse walks on one toe only; but our 
readers may be surprised to learn that his earliest ancestor had five toes, corresponding to the five 
toes seen in many other mammals and the five fingers of the human hand. Two, however, of the 
lost toes are represented by the two “ splint-bones,” which for a long time were a great puzzle to all 
who in any way made themselves familiar with the horse’s skeleton. Now they are no longer a 
