170 1 January, 



therein the Palceodictyoptera) and tte Orthoptera were the dominant 

 Orders, and that, towards its close, the Coleoptera and Hemiptera 

 began to make their appearance.* 



Great Britain. 

 Of the five fossil insects obtained from the British coal measures, 

 four have been referred to the Ortlwptern, and one to the Ooleoptera. 

 The representative of the last named Order is the oldest British fossil 

 insect known. It was discovered in the Ironstone of Coalbrook Dale, 

 Shropshire, and was described by Dr. Bucklandt as Curculioides 

 Ansticii-X 



The first-discovered species of Ortlioptera from the British Car- 

 boniferous rocks was also obtained from the Ironstone of Coalbrook 

 Dale, and was described by Dr. Mantel] § as belonging to the genus 

 Corydalis of the Nettroptera, and named by him Cori/dalis Bro7iqniarfi. 

 It has since been decided that it belonged to the Orthoptera,\\ and it 

 has been referred to the genus Gryllacris. 



In addition to these fossils, three fragments of Orthoptcra were 

 discovered, some years ago, in the Durham coal fields.^ One of the 

 fragments is described by Mr. Kirkby as being a very fine, distinct 

 example of the anterior portion of the fore-wing of an insect, in form 

 and neuration agreeing with the recent genus Blatta, but approaching 

 the Mantidce.** The third specimenft is believed from its shape and 

 neuration, to be the abortive anterior wing of some species belonging 

 to the Phas7nidce, but it is impossible to pronounce with any certainty 

 as to its probable affinities. The most recently-discovered fossil insect 

 fi'om British strata of this period, was obtained from the Scottish coal 

 fields, and has been referredJJ by Dr. Heniy Woodward to the 

 Mantidce, and named by him LitJiomanfis carhonarius. 



This specimen concludes the scanty list of fossil-insects discovered 

 in the British Carboniferous rocks : and I will now call attention to 

 some of the most interesting of those Avhich have been obtained from 

 the coal fields of continental Europe. 



* See antea, p. 56. 



t Bi-idgwater Treatise, vol. ii, p. 89. See also the Geol. Trans. (2nd series), vol. v, pt. 3, p. 

 446, and " The Silurian Sy.stem," pp. lo4, 10.5. 



X Dr. Buckland described two insects from Coalbrook Dale as CurcuHonidce, i. e., C. Ansticii 

 (above mentioned), and C. Prestvicii ; but Dr. H. Woodward, F.R.S., has decided that the last 

 named fossil should have been referred to the Arachnida, and not to the Insecta. See Geol. Mag., 

 September, 1871, vol. viii, p. 385. 



§ " Medals of Creation," vol. ii, p. 554. 



II See a paper by Mr. A. H. Swinton, in Geol. Mag., xi, 1874, p. 337, pi xiv. 



i[ The locality was the North Bank of the Wear, opposite to Claxheugh, about two miles West 

 of Sunderland. See Mr. Kirkby's paper in the Geol. Mag., 1867, vol. iv, p. 888. 



** Dr. Goldenberg has included this in.sect in his list of fo.ssil Blattidce, under the name of 

 Blatiidium inantidioides. (See Fauna Sar. Fossilis, 1877, p. 20.) 



ft The second specimen appears to be a part of the same insect as No. 1. 



it Quar. Journal Geol. Soc, Feb , 1876, p 60 In deciding as to the family to which this 

 fossil belonged, Dr. Woodward states that he had the advantage of the opinions of Mr. McLachlan, 

 Prof. Wcstwuod, and Mr. C. O. Waterhouse. 



