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The Descent of Man

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they were thus rendered highly conspicuous. In<br />

the fresh- waters <strong>of</strong> the tropics there are no brilliantly-coloured<br />

corals or other organisms for<br />

the fishes to resemble; yet many species in the<br />

Amazons are beautifully coloured, and many <strong>of</strong><br />

the carnivorous Cyprinidae in India are ornamented<br />

with "bright longitudinal lines <strong>of</strong> various<br />

tints." (31. 'Indian Cyprinidae,' by Mr.<br />

M'Clelland, 'Asiatic Researches,' vol. xix. part ii.<br />

1839, p. 230.) Mr. M'Clelland, in describing these<br />

fishes, goes so far as to suppose that "the<br />

peculiar brilliancy <strong>of</strong> their colours" serves as "a<br />

better mark for king-fishers, terns, and other<br />

birds which are destined to keep the number <strong>of</strong><br />

these fishes in check"; but at the present day<br />

few naturalists will admit that any animal has<br />

been made conspicuous as an aid to its own<br />

destruction. It is possible that certain fishes<br />

may have been rendered conspicuous in order<br />

to warn birds and beasts <strong>of</strong> prey that they were<br />

unpalatable, as explained when treating <strong>of</strong> caterpillars;<br />

but it is not, I believe, known that

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