. The study of animal life . Fig. 7.—Leaf-insect seated on a branch. (Ficm Belt.) one from postulating a mere sport as the origin of thepeculiarity which distinguishes PhyIlium or Phasma. Onthe other hand, some of the strangely precise minuteresemblances may be the fostered results of slight indefinitesports. It is also possible that some of the clevereranimals, such as spiders, learn to hide among the lichensand on the bark which they most resemble. But in everycase, and especially where there are many risks, as among CHAP. IV Shifts for a Living 55 caterpillars, the protective resemblance wo
. The study of animal life . Fig. 7.—Leaf-insect seated on a branch. (Ficm Belt.) one from postulating a mere sport as the origin of thepeculiarity which distinguishes PhyIlium or Phasma. Onthe other hand, some of the strangely precise minuteresemblances may be the fostered results of slight indefinitesports. It is also possible that some of the clevereranimals, such as spiders, learn to hide among the lichensand on the bark which they most resemble. But in everycase, and especially where there are many risks, as among CHAP. IV Shifts for a Living 55 caterpillars, the protective resemblance would be fosteredin the course of natural Fig. 8.—Moss insect. (From Belt.) 8. Warning Colours.—-While many animals are con-cealed by their colouring, others are made the moreconspicuous. But, as the latter are often unpalatable ordangerous, Wallace suggested that the colours werewainingsj which, as Poulton says, assist the educationof enemies, enabling them to easily learn and remeniberthe animals which are to be avoided. E-xpressingthe same idea, Belt says, the skunk goes leisurely along,holding up his white tail as a danger-flag for none to comewithin range of his nauseous artillery. So, the brightnessof the venomous coral-snake {E/aps) is a warning; therattlesnake, excitedly shaking its rattle, warns an intruderof its presence^; the cobra endeavours to terrify its enemyby the startling appearance of its expanded hood and con-spicuous eye-like marks. The language in which conspicu-ous colours are described by many naturalists tends toexaggerate the subtlety of animals, for the intentionalwarning of possible molesters i
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