The Colours of Arctic Animals

Abstract

I AM sorry that I cannot agree with my friend Mr. Meldola as to the insufficiency of the explanation of the white coloration of Arctic mammals and birds as due to protective adaptation, since it appears to me that there is no important group of facts in natural history of which the explanation is more complete; while on the other hand I venture (though with some hesitation) to question the basis of his counter explanation, as I am not aware of any sufficient proof that colour, per se, affects the radiation of low grade heat. At all events I feel tolerably certain that this cause, if it exists, has had no perceptible influence in determining the white colours of Arctic animals.