the same direction, I infer that with most species of Lepidoptera, the
mature males generally exceed the females in number, whatever the
proportions may be at their first emergence from the egg.
Males Females
The Rev. J. Hellins* of Exeter reared, during
1868, imagos of 73 species, which
consisted of 153 137
Mr. Albert Jones of Eltham reared, during
1868, imagos of 9 species, which
consisted of 159 126
During 1869 he reared imagos from 4 species
consisting of 114 112
Mr. Buckler of Emsworth, Hants, during 1869,
reared imagos from 74 species,
consisting of 180 169
Dr. Wallace of Colchester reared from one
brood of Bombyx cynthia 52 48
Dr. Wallace raised, from cocoons of Bombyx
Pernyi sent from China, during 1869 224 123
Dr. Wallace raised, during 1868 and 1869, from
two lots of cocoons of Bombyx yamamai 52 46
Total 934 761
(*83. This naturalist has been so kind as to send me some results from
former years, in which the females seemed to preponderate; but so many
of the figures were estimates, that I found it impossible to tabulate
them.)
With reference to the other Orders of insects, I have been able to
collect very little reliable information. With the stag-beetle (Lucanus
cervus) the males appear to be much more numerous than the females ;
but when, as Cornelius remarked during 1867, an unusual number of these
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