The Descent of Man

length, transversely banded with black and
yellow, and with its head, legs, and tail of a
bright red. Hence it caught the eye of any one
who passed by, even at the distance of many
yards, and no doubt that of every passing bird.
I then applied to Mr. Wallace, who has an innate
genius for solving difficulties. After some
consideration he replied: "Most caterpillars
require protection, as may be inferred from
some kinds being furnished with spines or irritating
hairs, and from many being coloured
green like the leaves on which they feed, or
being curiously like the twigs of the trees on
which they live." Another instance of protection,
furnished me by Mr. J. Mansel Weale, may
be added, namely, that there is a caterpillar of a
moth which lives on the mimosas in South
Africa, and fabricates for itself a case quite indistinguishable
from the surrounding thorns.
From such considerations Mr. Wallace thought
it probable that conspicuously coloured caterpi-