ate in many cases the range and even the
existence of the higher animals, whilst living under their natural
conditions. Under domestication light-coloured animals suffer most: in
Thuringia[549] the inhabitants do not like grey, white, or pale cattle,
because they are much more troubled by various kinds of flies than the
brown, red, or black cattle. An Albino negro, it has been remarked,[550]
was peculiarly sensitive to the bites of insects. In the West Indies[551]
it is said that "the only horned cattle fit for work are those which have a
good deal of black in them. The white are terribly tormented by the
insects; and they are weak and sluggish in proportion to the white."

In Devonshire there is a prejudice against white pigs, because it is
believed that the sun blisters them when turned out;[552] and I knew a man
who would not keep white pigs in Kent, for the same reason. The scorching
of flowers by the sun seems likewise to depend much on colour; thus, dark
pelargoniums suffer most; and from various accounts it is clear that the
cloth-of-gold variety will not withstand a degree of exposure to sunshine
which other varieties enjoy. Another amateur asserts that not only all
dark-coloured verbenas, but likewise scarlets, suffer from the sun; "the
paler kinds stand better, and pale blue is perhaps the best of all." So
again with the heartsease (_Viola tricolor_); hot weather suits the
blotched sorts, whilst it destroys the beautiful markings of some other
kinds.[553] During one extremely cold season in Holland all red-flowered
hyacinths were observed to be very inferior in quality. It is believed by
many agriculturists that red wheat is hardier in northern climates than
white wheat.[554]

With animals, white varieties from being conspicuous are the most liable to
be attacked by beasts and birds of prey. In parts of France and Germany
where hawks abound, persons are advised not to keep white pigeons; for, as
Parmentier says, "it {230} is certain that in a flock the white always
first fall victims to the kite." In Belgium, where so many societies have
been established for the flight of carrier-pigeons, white is the one colour
which for the same reason is disliked.[555] On the other hand, it is said
that the sea-eagle (_Falco ossifragus_, Linn.) on the west coast of Ireland
picks out the black fowls, so that "the villagers avoid as much as possible
rearing birds of that colour." M. Daudin,[556] speaking of white rabbits
kept