Chap. VIII. 
SEXUAL SELECTION. 
313 
from eggs or caterpillars, I liave received only the few following 
cases : — 
The Rev. J. Hellins 63 of Exeter reared, during 1868, 
imagos of 73 species, which consisted of 
Mr. Albert Jones of Eltham feared, during 1868, im- 
agos of 9 species, which consisted of 
During 1869 he reared imagos from 4 species, consist- 
ing of 
Mr. Buckler of Emsworth, Hants, during 1869, reared 
imagos from 74 species, consisting of 
Dr. Wallace of Colchester reared from one brood of 
Bombyx cynthia 
Dr. Wallace raised, from cocoons of Bombyx Pernyisent 
from China, during 1869 
Dr. Wallace raised, during 1868 and 1869, from two 
lots of cocoons of Bombyx yama-mai 
Total 
Males. 
Females. 
153 
137 
159 
126 
114 
112 
180 
169 
52 
48 
224 
123 
52 
46 
934 
761 
So that in these eight lots of cocoons and eggs, males were pro- 
duced in excess. Taken together the proportion of males is as 
122*7 to 100 females. But the numbers are hardly large enough 
to he trustworthy. 
Gn the whole, from the above various sources of evidence, all 
pointing to the same direction, I infer that with most species of 
Lepidoptera, the males in the imago state generally exceed the 
females in number, whatever the proportions may he at their first 
emergence from the egg. 
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 beetles appeared in one part of Ger- 
many, the females appeared to exceed the males as six so one. 
With one of the Elateridge, the males are said to be much more 
numerous than the females, and “two or three are often found 
“ united with one female ; 66 so that here polyandry seems to prevail.. 
65 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. 
66 Gunther’s ‘ Record of Zoological Literature,’ 1867, p. 260. On the 
excess of female Lucanus, ibid. p. 250. On the males of Lucanus in Eng- 
land, Westwood, ; Modern Class, of Insects,’ vol. i. p. 187. On the Siagonium,. 
ibid. p. 172. 
