The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-02-05
ANIMAL MIMICS.
Naturalist's Experiments II
Southern California.
kes That Simulate yInes-Lizards That
lrew Their Tails Away-Deceitful Butt
stumps and Roots
Animal Sea Weeds and Rocks.

Hirew Their Tails Away-DeceitfuI Butt
torHies-Savage stumps and Roots
Y Animal Sea Weeds and Rocks.
ESouthern California is fine coun-
in which to study the local fauna.
p Pre is so much pleasant weather that
can put in good deal of field
Fk." The speaker was an East
naturalist, who had some months
be come from the East and taken
his temporary residence in noun
resort in Los Angeles County, for
purpose of observing the animals
their habits. He had just arrived
his city, called hither by some busi-
$ engagement.
mo, | have not found anything spe-
4ly new," continued the speaker, in
ly to question by reporter. 81
mot expect to. If you will accom-
by me to my lodgings, however, 1
y show you something of interest"
kfter brisk walk of a few blocks, the
hporary quarters of the naturalist
be reached. He said: "My attention,
now, is directed toward certain
/ hses of animal life, principally the
thods of protection and defense, and
Fticularly mimicry."
E'You don't mean that animals mimic
anotherp''
y Certainly, and, as an example, pick
the animals on this branch,n and
naturalist took from the mantel
J handed to the reporter a branch
alder. 1t was examined, as was sup
Bed carefully, but no living creature
hid be seen.
That demonstrates the perfection of
&nicry," said the host, as he laugh
lily touched one of the leaves, that
nediately walked of and became an
ect.
That insect" he continued" .that
could not distinguish from leaf,
Y dis its protection in mimicing leaves.
Bu see how exactly its wings mimic
m in color, veining and in other re-
cts. And not only that; when I
E ght it it came flutterlng down from a
$e with the same motion as leaf, and
My dog had not directed my attention
NJ should have passed it by. 1t is a
Hy common and interesting example" !"
@'What is there hereP" inquired the
porter, leaning over a box of plants
+ vines that stood on the window sill.
~ On the vine is a green snake that
amics vines. brought it from the
E&ct aud fhn OF will =
&mber of green spiders that affect green
fnts. All snakes find protection more
less in their stimulation of other OBJ
$ts. Take the rattlesnakes, that, by
way, are all alternating now; they
initiate the barren rocks, among
ich they live, that it is almost impossi-
4 to distinguish them unless you see the
&tline of the form. In the tropics you
large boas and pythons hanging
$m a tree, and from distance they
y perfect mimics of the lianas that are
e Of the characteristic features of the
untry.
#"Here is a case,h continued the speak
taking the top from a large glass
TX, the bottom Of which was filled with
its uO Jou oCC dlly tillllRE
xIhe writer looked steadily, at long
ID short range, and was finally obliged
confess that sand was the only object
Bcernable.
RThe naturalist then introduced a
inter, and Immediately a lizard, three
ehes long, broad and flat, appeared
ID ran saround the inclosure with a
5pid, uncertain motion. ''It's horned
hd, really a lizard" explained the
Ener, laughing. "andis remarkable
lmic, as you see, of the sand. In
nting for them in the valleys / never
uld see them except when they started
}, and when they stopped it was to dis
$pear, so complete was their identity
IT. You see this is the protection Of
ture that all animals possess outside
their special organ of defense. 1t is
phase in the evolution of life, all ami
als becoming adapted to their environ
ents. There is nothing startling in
Rture; the forms of animals all blend
tn their surroundings. This creature
mics the dry, sandy wastes that it af-
PTS; but go to the woods, especially of
g south, and we find myriads Of forms
ut initiate the leaves and twigs. Green
kards lie before our eyes and defy us;
Q tree toads crouched on the leaves are
Visible; the bullfrogs in the sedges by
e bank of the pond are rendered in
Rnspicuous by their rich green coat;
en- turn to the toad, that wanders
ong the dusty roads and bare tracts of
3nd, and we see it dust-colored or mot
pa, finding in this sure protection.
But to return to the lizards. There
{e some curious cases among the
fckos. Here is one, dead, that is called
leaf-tailed gecko. You see the tail
Plges out soon after leaving the body,
ld assumes leaf or arrow shape;
fnce the name of the animal, Now,
nen the little creature is chased you
u see it dodge around limb and hold
! the curious leaf-like tail. That is all
Pu can see, and SO, naturally, would
INK it part of the tree itself. But
ls lizard has more remarkable
ethod of escape yet. We will imagine
lat you have tried to pluck the leaf.
| he animal drops clumsily to the
Found and darts away among the
Pcks, where it attracts the attention OF
Re hawks that are forever uTowlinR