CD seeks information on the variation of ocelli within species of butterflies.

Variations in the ocelli of Lepidoptera.

Encloses six pages from his catalogue of S. African butterflies [Rhopalocera Africae australis, 2 pts (1862, 1866)].

Thanks RT for drawings of ocelli, especially for the description of ocelli of S. African Saturniidae. Would like to know of any cases in which the ocelli are confined to the male, to illustrate better the case of the peacock.

Sends prospectus of forthcoming work by his brother [Henry Trimen] and W. T. Thiselton-Dyer [Flora of Middlesex (1869)]. Hopes CD will subscribe.

Is interested in the relative numbers of males and females of all animals; wants any instances of males, or females, being in excess.

Proportion of sexes in butterflies; discussion of subject at meeting of Entomological Society, London.

Attraction of males by female Lasiocampa quercus. [see Descent 1: 311–12.]

RT’s argument about the Lasiocampa strikes him as very good; asks for any similar cases. Wonders whether male butterflies may serve more than one female.

Asks whether RT will call.

On attraction of males by females in moths. H. T. Stainton mentions a case.

Arranges for RT to call.

Coloration in moths.

Quotes Achille Guénée on relative proportion of sexes in Phalaenites.

Thanks RT for letter which saves him from a "terrible mistake": that no moths were more brilliantly coloured beneath than above. Suggests revised version for comment. [See Descent 1: 397.]

Approves CD’s revision on coloration of moths.

Impressed with apparent adverse tendencies: one toward sexual selection, the other toward protection.

Extract from Émile Blanchard’s Metamorphoses, moeurs et instincts des insectes [1868], on attraction of males by female Lepidoptera, and possible explanation.

Has tried using dealers’ price-lists as a guide to sex ratios in Lepidoptera; finds numerous cases in which the sexes bring different prices and in virtually all of them the males are cheaper. This seems to confirm the impression of the field collectors.

Wishes RT good luck with natural history in S. Africa.