Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1899 — Protective Mimicry. [ARTICLE]

Protective Mimicry.

Protective mimicry, that cunning device of nature to preserve animals from their enemies, is well shown in the eggs of certain fishes, notably thii California shark, known as Gyropleurodus francisci. The shark is of s 1 sluggish habit, lurking among rocks, and its dark egg resembles a leaf of kelp or seaweed folded up spirally. It is deposited among the beds of kelp, and clings to the leaves by the edges of the spirals. Theyoung shark J bursts open the end of the egg and | SAvims away. Another shark’s egg of the Pacific coast has tentacles, which clasp the seaweed, and also imitate its appearance.— N. Y. Times.,