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The Descent of Man

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ed cats in his house. Such cats, as I have <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

noticed, are very conspicuous during day; but<br />

as they used to lie in watch during the dusk at<br />

the mouths <strong>of</strong> the burrows, the rabbits apparently<br />

did not distinguish them from their parti-coloured<br />

brethren. <strong>The</strong> result was that, within<br />

eighteen months, every one <strong>of</strong> these particoloured<br />

rabbits was destroyed; and there was<br />

evidence that this was effected by the cats. Colour<br />

seems to be advantageous to another animal,<br />

the skunk, in a manner <strong>of</strong> which we have<br />

had many instances in other classes. No animal<br />

will voluntarily attack one <strong>of</strong> these creatures on<br />

account <strong>of</strong> the dreadful odour which it emits<br />

when irritated; but during the dusk it would<br />

not easily be recognised and might be attacked<br />

by a beast <strong>of</strong> prey. Hence it is, as Mr. Belt believes<br />

(37. '<strong>The</strong> Naturalist in Nicaragua,' p. 249.),<br />

that the skunk is provided with a great white<br />

bushy tail, which serves as a conspicuous warning.

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