The Bates-Müller Hypothesis of Mimicry: a Question of Historical Accuracy

Abstract

A PAPER dealing with the above subject, by the late Dr. A. S. Packard, has just been published in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society (vol. xliii., No. 178, p. 393), in which this well known entomologist endeavours to show that the markings of organisms (“pœcilogenesis”) are “due to the physical rather than to the biological environment.” I must leave it to others to consider how far the late author has established his case as against Bates, Fritz Müller, and those who have accepted the theories of mimicry associated with these names. My object in asking you to give space to this letter is to point Out a distinct error which, if allowed to pass unchallenged, is likely to be accepted as a true statement of Darwin's views in the sense conveyed by the American writer.