St. Landry democrat., 1886-01-30
ANIMAL MIMICS.
q Naturalist's Exp eriments In
Southern California.
Snakes That Simulate Vines-Lizards That
Threw Their Tails Away-Deceitful But
terfies-Savage Stumps and Roots
Animal Sea Weeds and Rocks.

try in which to study the local fauna.
There is so much pleasant weather that
one can put in good deal of field
work" The speaker was an East
ern naturalist, who had some months
since come from the East and taken
up his temporary residence in a noun
tain resort in Los Angeles County. for
the purpose of observing the animals
and their habits. He had just arrived
in this city. called hither by some busi-
ness engagement.
ssNo, I have not found anything spe-
cially new" continued the speaker, in
reply to a question by reporter. II
do not expect to- If you will accom-
pany me to MY lodgings, however, |
may show you something Of interest. "
After brisk walk of few blocks, the
temporary quarters of the naturalist
were reached. He said: sMy attention,
lust now, is directed toward certain
phases of animal life, principally the
methods of protection and defense, and
particularly mimicry.'
ssYou don't mean that animals mimic
one another?'
"Certainly, and, as an example, pick
out the animals on this branch" and
the naturalist took from the mantel
and handed to the reporter branch
of alder. It was examined, as was sup
posed carefully, but no living creature
could be seen.
..That demonstrates the perfection of
rnimicry,n said the host, as he laugh
ingly touched one of the leaves, that
Immediately walked off and became an
insect.
"That insect" he continued ''that
you could not distinguish from leaf,
finds it's protection in mimicing leaves.
You see how exactly its wings mimic
them in color, veining and in other re-
spects. And not only that; when |
caught it it came futterlng down from a
tree with the same motion as leaf, and
if nv dog had not directed my attention
to it 7 should have passed it by. 1t is a
very common and interesting example. =
s;What is there here?" inquired the
reporter, leaning over box OF plants
and vines that stood on the window SILL
s.On the vine is green snake that
minics vines. | brought it from the
East, and on the stems you will see a
number of green spiders that affect green
plants. All snakes find protection more
or less in their stimulation of other OBJ
iects Take the rattlesnakes, that, by
the way, are all alternating now; they
so initiate the barren rocks, among
which they live, that it is almost impossi-
BILE to distinguish them unless you see the
outline of the form. In the tropics you
see large boas and pythons hanging
from tree. and from distance they
are perfect mimics of the lianas that are
one of the characteristic features OF the
country.
s.Here is case,'' continued the speak
er. taking the top from large glass
box. the bottom of which was filled with
sand, .sdo you see anythingp
The writer looked steadily, at long
and short range, and was finally Obliged
TO confess that sand was the only object
discernable-
The naturalist then introduced q
pointer, and Immediately lizard, three
inches long, broad and fiat, appeared
and ran around the inclosure with !,
rapid, uncertain motion. ''It's horned
toad. really lizard explained the
owner, laughing, land is remarkable
mimic, as You see, Of the sand. In
hunting for them in the valleys never
could see them except when they started
up. and when they stopped it was 70 dls-
appear. so complete was their identify
lost. You see this is the protection OF
nature that all animals possess outside
OF their special organ of defense. It i
: ,,haso in the evolution of life, all AMI
mails becoming adapted to their environ
ments. There is nothing startling In
nature; the forms of animals all blend
with their surroundings. This creature
mimics the dry, sandy wastes that 1t a.