Note 8 — (Plates I.–VIII.)

The terms “mimicry” and “mimickers” have been objected to on the ground that they imply voluntary action on the part of the insects. This appears to me of little importance compared with the advantages of convenience, flexibility, and expressiveness which they undoubtedly possess, especially as the whole theory propounded by the originator of the term in this sense excludes all idea of voluntary action. The only approximately synonymous words, not implying will, are resemblance, similarity, and likeness; and it is evident that none of these can be applied intelligibly under the variety of forms required, and to which Mr. Bates’s expression so readily lends itself in the terms mimic, mimickers, mimicry, mimicked. Add to this the inconvenience of changing a term which, from the interest and wide discussion of the subject, must be already very generally understood, and I think it will be admitted that nothing would be gained by altering it, even if a better word were pointed out, which has not yet been done.