The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-03
ANIMAL MIMICS.
A Naturalist's Experiments in
Southern California.
Snakes That Simulate yihes-Lizards That
Threw Their Tails Away-Deceitful But
terfiies-Savage Stumps and Roots
Animal Sea Weeds and Rocks.

Southern California is fine coun-
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 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 bust
ness engagement.
mo, have not found anything spe-
cially new" continued the speaker, in
reply to question by a reporter. Il
do not expect to. If you will accom-
pany me to my lodgings, however, l
may show you something of interest," p"
After brisk walk of few blocks, the
temporary quarters of the naturalist
were reached He said: ..My attention,
lust now, is directed toward certain
phases of animal life, principally the
methods of protection and defense, and
particularly mimicry"
you 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 q branch
of alder. 1t was examined, as was sup
posed carefully, but no living creature
could be seen.
That demonstrates the perfection of
minicry,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 I
caught it it came Tutoring down from a
tree with the same motion as leaf, and
if my dog had not directed my attention
to it should have passed it by. 1t is a
very common and interesting example. -
What is there here?" inquired the
reporter, leaning over box of plants
and vines that stood on the window sill.
.'On the vine is q green snake that
mimics 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-
bic TO distinguish them unless you see the
outline of the form. In the tropics you
see large boas and pythons hanging
from a tree, and from distance they
are perfect mimics of the lianas that are
one of the characteristic features of the
country.
Here is case,' continued the speak.
er, taking the top from a large glass
box, the bottom of which was filled with
sand, edo you see anything?"
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 a
pointer, and Immediately a lizard, three
inches long, broad and fiat, appeared
and ran around the inclosure with a
rapid, uncertain motion "It's horned
toad. really u lizard explained the
owner laughing land is a 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 to dis
appear, so complete was their identity
lost. You see this is the protection OF
nature that all animals possess outside
OF their special organ of defense. 1t is
phase 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 it af-
fects; but 60 to the woods, especially OF
the south, and we find myriads of forms
that initiate the leaves and twigs Green
lizards lie before our eyes and defy us
the tree toads crouched on the leaves are
invisible; the bullfrogs in the sedges by
the bank of the pond are rendered in.
conspicuous by their rich green coat
then turn to the toad, that wanders
along the dusty roads and bare tracts OF
land,, and we see it dust-colored or mot
tied, finding in this a sure protection.
But to return to the lizards. There
are some curious cases among the
gcckos Here is one, dead, that is called
the lcaf-tailed gecko. You see the tail
bulges out soon after leaving the body,
and assumes leaf OF arrow shape;
hence the name of the animal, Now,
when the little creature is chased you
will see it dodge around a limb and hold
up the curious leaf-like tail. That is all
You can see, and so, naturally, would
think it a part of the tree itself. But
this lizard has a more remarkable
method of escape yet. We will imagine
that you have tried to pluck the leaf.
The animal drops clumsily to the
ground, and darts away among the
rocks, where it attracts the attention OF