File:Colouration in animals and plants (1886) (14796635673).jpg

Identifier: colourationinani00tylo (find matches)
Title: Colouration in animals and plants
Year: 1886 (1880s)
Authors: Tylor, Alfred, 1824-1884 Skertchly, Sydney B. J. (Sydney Barber Josiah), 1850-1927
Subjects: Color of animals Animal behavior Plants
Publisher: London : Printed by Alabaster, Passmore and Sons
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library

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led in after years by a repetition of that odour! But insects, and, it may be, many other creatures, possess senseorgans whose nature we know not. The functions of the antennaeand of various organs in the wings, are unknown; and none canexplain the charm by which the female Kentish Glory, or OakEgger moths lure their mates. You may collect assiduously, usingevery seduction in sugars and lanterns, only to find how rare arethese insects; but if fortune grant you a virgin female, and youcage her up, though no eye can pierce her prison walls, and thoughshe be silent as the oracles, she will, hi some mysterious way, attractlovers; not singly, but by the dozen; not one now and another inan hour, but in eager flocks. Many butterflies possess peculiarscent-pouches on their wings, and one of these, a Danais, ismimicked by several species. It is the possession of these additionalpowers of recognition that leaves colouration free to run to the * PI. I., Pigs 1-3. f PI. II., Figs. l-:j. Plate IF.
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MIMICRY, Colour, its Nature and Recognition. 31 extreme of protective vagary, when the species is hard pressed inthe struggle for life. Nevertheless, though animals have other means of recognition,the distinctive markings are, without doubt, the prime means ofknowledge. Who, that has seen a peacock spread his gloriousplumes like a radiant glory, can doubt its fascination % Who, thathas wandered in America, and watched a male humming-birdpirouetting and descending in graceful spirals, its whole bodythrobbing with ecstasy of love and jealousy, can doubt? Who caneven read of the Australian bower-bird, lowliest and first of virtuosi,decorating his love-bower with shells and flowers, and shiningstones, running in and out with evident delight, and re-arranging histreasures, as a collector does his gems, and not be certain that here,at least, we have the keenest appreciation, not only of colour, but ofbeauty—a far higher sense ? It has been said that butterflies must be nearly blind, becau

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