The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-05-11
Marked Resemblance Between
Widely Separated Species.
HABITS OF PHE INSECT MANTIS
3he Experience of the Writer in a Neigh
borhood Where Rattlesnakes are
Common-Living Stratagems.
ForTHE SUNDAY HERALD

to find two roses on the same bush, a pair
OF leaves upon twig, or couple of grass
blades in the same bunch with resem-
blances so close that the individuality of
each could not be readily perceived. Yet,
living objects of the same class have many
general features in common; and upon the
strength of these, natural structures are
classified in orders, genera and species.
1t has long been observed, also, that GER
tain marked resemblances exist between
families which are widely separated in de-
tailed structure, and this is true of both
the plant and animal kingdoms. 1t is
usually noticed that such resemblances are
of decided advantages to the species show
ing the same Instances of the kind are so
numerous that a general name, mimicry,
has been proposed and adopted by which to
designate such advantageous resem-
blances
The word mimicry, thus applied, is used
In mctaphorical sense only; it is not in
tended to indicate conscious imitation of
one species by another, but simply resem-
blance giving to the mimicing animal or
plant an advantage, by affording it greater
protection from its enemies, or by enabling
1t TO more easily procure food. Mimicry
in nature, as thus defined must not be con
founded with cases of mere accidental
similarity from which no apparent good
results to the minicing species. 1t should
be remembered that such confusing in
stances are numerous; and for their desig-
nation the term false mimicry could be ad-
vantageously employed.
There is an insect. well known TO Euro
npan pnfnrrOl0uicrc nn6nr paroa Of
mantis. Its chief popularity lies in
habit OF remaining in an immovable posi-
ton on the branches of trees or on the
stems of shrubs, often for hours, while in
reality it is waiting for other insects upon
which 1t likes to feed to come within its
reach. This seemingly pensive attitude
has given to the insect its name-the term
mats being of Greek derivation, and mean
ing in the original, diviner or prophet, for
the early observers taught that the insect
was studiously engaged in calculating the
events of the future. Most of the man
tid8 have long fore legs, and these limbs
they hold aloft and apparently clasped
while In the liked attitude before de-
scribed, and such a position has gained
other titles for the creature, such as pray
ing mantis, saint, nun, preacher, suppl
ant, beggar, and the like. Travellers tell
us that the insect is regarded as an object
OF worship in Central Africa and in India;
and even in enlightened Europe many
superstltious notions abound in relation TO
1t. The country people of France believe
that if a person loses his way, and should
then be fortunate enough to find mantis
at Its devotions, the insect will stretch out
one of its legs indicating the proper direc-
ton for the wanderer to follow From
these statements, we may well conclude
that the mantis is Familiarity known to the
people in the regions where it is found
Now fhQrn lc CT aco Of rolo, ~.
of the ginger tribe, the flowers of which
so closely resemble the mantiS that the
generic name mantiSia has been applied to
such. The color of the blossom is mix
ture of purple and yellow, and the shape
is close approach to the commonest form
OF the m2ntis insect.
This is a fair example of false mimicry,
the resemblance being undoubtedly strong.
yet no one has been able to discover any
adVanta resulting from such to the plant
Among the numerous varieties of orchids,
many strange shapes are presented. A
somewhat rare species is the lizard orchid,
so called IRON close resemblance to the
reptile whose name it bears, and this form
IS produced by an elongating and a twist
ing on the petals.
Another, called the man orchid, produces
blossoms in shape something like a minia-
lure efngy of human being hanging by
the neck. a still stranger occurrence is the
fly orchid, the Resemblance of which are
indicated by the name. The petals are pur-
pie with blue variations, and the insect
like appearance is very perfect Parkin-
son, an ancient writer, says of it: ''The
heather parte of the file is black. with a
list Of ashe colour crossing the backe with
show Of legges, hanging at it: the natural
tiie seemeth so TO be in love with it. that
you shall seldome come in the heate of the
dale, but you shall finde one setting close
thereon"
Besides these there are the bee orchid
the crane-fy orchid and the frog orchid,
each of which bears strange resemblances
TO animals, as the names imply
Certain members Of the Euphorbiaceae.
or Spurge family of plants, grow wild on
the african deserts, though most of the
natural appearances OF the family are
changed, and the plants resemble the cac-
fuses that cover the dry plains of the, new
world. These cases illustrate false or &c
cidental mimicry, and are far less striking
than the examples OF true mimicry or adj
Vantageous similarity.
MIR. Wallace has drawn attention to the
cladobates, small creature native to
Malay, insectivorous and carnivorous in
habit which in size and general appear
ance closely resembles a squirrel. 1t has
been thought that by the aid of this decep-
tive appearance the Candidates is enabled
the more easily to approach and capture
the insects and birds upon which it lives
thevictim seemingly taking their deadly
foe to be but harmless squirrel
Reptiles furnish many examples of MIN
icry, most Of which are protective in their
effects
The elaps, venomous snake of tropical
America. is conspicuous on account of its
brilliant colors: aud it is found 10 be d fact
that IN the regions where this reptile
abounds several genera of harmless snakes.
very dl1ferent in structure, are colored
similarly to the elaps. The mimicing SER
penis are thus greatly protected, as animals
rarely attack them because of their resern-
blance TO the veromous order. Such imita-
tons are not confined to outward appear
ances only, but often manifest themselves
10 the habits of animals.
Some years ago, the writer formed one of
party travelling through i region of the
territory where ratulssaalie are common
A medium sized reptile, which at first sight
was supposed TO be OF the deadly kind, was
sighted by member Of the company, and
an attempt was undertaken 10 capture the
creature as a specimen. The snake, when
approached, cuicl:ly assumed a defensive
attitude, and gavc evidence of q dctermina
ton to fight savasely,iying in coil with its
head raised. carefully cycling its closest
asSailant all the time beating with its tail
on the ground among the leaves and dry
grass, thus creating a sound very like the
ominous rattle of the poisonous serpent.
Not desiring to risk our personal safety by
I a close contact with living and angry rat
tesnalze, twas decided to shoot the reptile.
A post norton examination of our victim
showed it to be a snake of the common.
harmless kind, of course, devoid of rattles.
and entirely innocent of venom fangs Its
fierce demonstrations were an exact imita-
ton of the actions of an enraged rattle