. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. Science; Natural history; Natural history. Some animals and Insects nave the power of modifying their color in response to ;i change of environment. A familiar example of this type is the chameleon. It has been frequently Observed llial tin- caterpillar of the Cloud- loss Sulphur. [CatapsiUa eubule), assumes a yellow tint when feed- ing on the blossoms Of Cassia, whereas it is green when found on the leaves. A large number of butterflies resemble leaves, the most, familiar example being the Leaf Butterfly of India. {Eallima inachis). (


. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. Science; Natural history; Natural history. Some animals and Insects nave the power of modifying their color in response to ;i change of environment. A familiar example of this type is the chameleon. It has been frequently Observed llial tin- caterpillar of the Cloud- loss Sulphur. [CatapsiUa eubule), assumes a yellow tint when feed- ing on the blossoms Of Cassia, whereas it is green when found on the leaves. A large number of butterflies resemble leaves, the most, familiar example being the Leaf Butterfly of India. {Eallima inachis). (See Plate 2, Bg. 2). The , {Polygonia) are exactly the color of hark on the under surfaces of their wings. It is a common habit for them to rest on the trunk of a tree, with their wings closed. Another type of protective adaptation consists in certain unpleas- ant or noxious qualities, such as that possessed by the familiar skunk. A few caterpillars, notably the Papilios, have protrusive organs which emit an offensive substance. All of the Danaid butterflies are believed to be obnoxious to in- sectivores. Moths of the genus Zygaena possess acrid or offensive qualities, and the same holds true for many other groups. Frequently, when characters of a poisonous or repellant nature are developed, there is also the assumption of a conspicuous pat- tern or color. This phenomenon is termed "warning ; Many reptiles and batrachians are known, which possess this combination of qualities. The Spotted Salamander {Salamandra maculosa) exemplifies this principle. Some of the showy beetles are protected in like manner, as are also many tropical butterflies and moths. Another interesting mechanism of survival, consists in the acqui- sition by non-protected species of the colors and patterns of obnoxious PLATE l. Illustrating Protective Coloration The figure on the left shows a tree-toad which simulates the color of the rock so perfectly as to be almost i


Size: 2107px × 1186px
Photo credit: © Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, books, booksubjectnaturalhistory