384 Remarks an t}ie EfMmHology of Angola. 



TK)t the true tests of the relative agds of strata ; nor has the Trilobite, 

 inhabiting the profound depths of the ocean, any title to priority of birth- 

 ^ght over the humble Cardium, which burrows among the superficial 

 "sands that lie barely within tide-mark. Strata of high and low levels 

 may be found in immediate contact, without the aid of supposititious 

 denudation of intermediate strata. 



Any one or more of the geological formations may be eBtiMy awant- 

 ing in certain localities to a great extent, their places being supplied by 

 formations of a higher or lower level. 



The whole series of geological formations could neVer be present in 

 every portion of the earth's surface as long as there existed aA ocean 

 Varying in depth. 



Bemarks on the Entomology of Angola with reference to the 

 Geographical Distribution of Insects in Africa. By Pro- 

 fessor Erichson of Berlin. 



A CAREFUL and attentive examination of the manner in which 

 the natural products of Africa are distributed, appears to us the 

 only safe method by which we may establish our inferences re- 

 garding the condition of the unknown interior of this colossal 

 Continent, on a broader and more sold basis than can be ex- 

 pected from comparisons with other parts of the world, simi- 

 larly formed and situated. The comparatively small quantity 

 of water transmitted to the sea from such an extent of country, 

 and which, contrasted with the numerous and gigantic streamis 

 of Asia and South America, seems very inconsiderable, has 

 long been a matter of surprise. IVevertheless, some geo- 

 graphers imagine that the desert-girt interior of Africa is 

 traversed by immense mountain chains. It becomes of course 

 necessary to suppose, that the greater portion of the atmo- 

 spheric vapours, condensed by the action of these great moun- 

 tains, is carried to inland-lakes, the size of which must be so 

 considerable, that their surface of vaporization will correspond 

 with the quantity of water received, since they have no com- 

 munication with the sea. We readily confess that this view 

 presents many interesting points, but it is impossible to re- 

 concile it with the manner in which the various species of 

 animals are distributed over Africa. The circumstance, that 

 several species, for instance the ostrich, have spread from the 



