568 THE ENTOMOLOGlSt. 



1 



very lively, and has moved its mandibles continually. We 

 have sent it to you in a box, but fear that it will not reach 

 you alive; but to place the fact of its being so noiv beyond 

 dispute, we have shown it to a number of scientific and other 

 credible witnesses, who can certify the fact. You will per- 

 ceive that it is in a nodule of gum without flaw, so that it will 

 furnish an interesting enquiry how the insect can have existed 

 as it has done for several months at the least. We have no 

 information respecting the age of gums, but since the insect 

 was first entrapped in the viscous gum it must have required 

 many months before it could have hardened as we now find 

 it. Doubtless the readers of the 'Entomologist' will be 

 interested in this case. — Mander Brothers ; JVolverhatnpion, 

 October 29, 1873. 



[The insect did not reach me alive, having been delayed in 

 transit, owing to an unfortunate misdirection of the packet ; 

 nevertheless there is no reason to doubt the fact of its having 

 been alive when forwarded. It has now been carefully 

 removed, and exhibits all the characteristics of having recently 

 possessed life. If an insect is enclosed alive in gum, in a 

 cavity which is considerably larger than its body, which has 

 been the case in this instance, the length of time it will live 

 will depend upon various circumstances. I would suggest 

 that the insect crawled into a miniature cavern, and that the 

 entrance closed afterwards, for the gum becomes soft at a 

 comparatively low temperature, and 1 find by experiment the 

 present specimen does so at a temperature below 140*^ Fahr. 

 Of course if an insect gets entangled in a gum or resin that 

 is viscous, its life is soon over. This has not been the case in 

 the present instance : the limbs were free from any viscous 

 adhesions ; therefore the insect must have entered the cavity 

 sponte sua. The finding an insect alive in such a situation is 

 extremely interesting, but it must on no account be considered 

 analogous to the phenomenon of " flies in amber:" the gums 

 imported from the coast of Africa are recent exudations, and 

 are daily in the course of formation. Knowing something of 

 the nature of these African gums, for there are many, and 

 very variable as to the temperature at which they soften, 

 I must decline expressing any opinion as to the period this 

 insect had passed in confinement. — Edward Newuian.j 



EDWABD NEWMAN, PEINTEE, DEVONSHIEE STEEET, BISHOPSGATE. 



