. The study of animal life . ness that hermit-crab {Pagurus cuanensis) whose stolenshell is surrounded by a bright orange sponge (Suberitesdomuncula). As this sponge is full of flinty needles, has astrong odour and a disagreeable taste, we do not wonderthat Mr. Garstang finds that fish dislike it intensely, norcan we doubt that the hermit-crab trades on the reputation ofits associate. In other cases the masking will aid in con-cealment and favour attack. To the associations of crabsand sea-anemones we shall afterwards refer. II. Comhination of Advantageous Qualities.— describes, in i
. The study of animal life . ness that hermit-crab {Pagurus cuanensis) whose stolenshell is surrounded by a bright orange sponge (Suberitesdomuncula). As this sponge is full of flinty needles, has astrong odour and a disagreeable taste, we do not wonderthat Mr. Garstang finds that fish dislike it intensely, norcan we doubt that the hermit-crab trades on the reputation ofits associate. In other cases the masking will aid in con-cealment and favour attack. To the associations of crabsand sea-anemones we shall afterwards refer. II. Comhination of Advantageous Qualities.— describes, in illustration of the combination ofmany methods of defence, the case of the larva of thepuss moth (Cerura vinuld). It resembles the leaves of thepoplar and willow on which it lives. When disturbed itassumes a terrifying attitude, mimetic of a Vertebrateappearance ! The effect is heightened by the protrusion oftwo pink whips from the terminal prongs of the body, andfinally the creature defends itself by squirting formic 64 TJie Study of xinimal Life parti Yet in spite of all this power of defence, the larva often fallsa victim to ichneumon-flies. These manage to lay their eggs within the caterpillar, whichby and by succumbs to thevoracity of the hatchedichneumon maggots. believes that thepuss moth larva has beensaved from exterminationby the repeated acquisitionof new defensive any improvement inFig. 13. —Terrifying attitude of the the means of defence has caterpillar of Certcra vinula. (From ^^ggj^ j-,-jg^ ^^y ^^g greaterChambers s A«Qc/o/.; after Poulton.) i i ingenuity or boldness offoes ; and so it has come about that many of the best-protected larvce are often those which die in the largestnumbers from the attacks of enemies. The exceptionalstandard of defence has been only reached through thepressure of an exceptional need. 12. Surrender of Parts.— Among the strange life-pre-serving powers which animals exhibit, we must alsoinclude that
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