INSECTA 47 



of chelate claws occur in the upper chalk, which are referred 

 to a hermit-crab (Mesostyliis Faujasii). Small Crustaceans, 

 resembling in form the living Corystcs, abound in the gault 

 (fig. 10, 2), but they are known to be anomourous by the small 

 size and dorsal position of the posterior legs, and by the little 

 plates intercalated between the last joints of the tail, as seen 

 also in the Dromilites (fig. 10, 1) from the London clay. 



Class IV.— INSECTA. 



Char. — Body chitinous, articulated, with articulated and unci- 

 nated limbs ; head provided with jointed antennae ; 

 respiratory system tracheal. 



The fossil insects hitherto examined have afforded no new 

 types or forms of unusual interest. The oldest known, those 

 from the lower coal measures, resemble the Curcidionidce and 

 Blattidce or Locustidce of the present day. The lias limestones 

 have afforded a greater variety to the persevering skill of Mr. 

 Brodie : species of the genera Berosus, Elatcr, Gyrinus, Lacco- 

 philus, and Mclolontha, and undetermined genera of the fami- 

 lies Gardbidce, Bupr&stidaz, Chrysomdidai, and Telcphoridce ; 

 Panorpa-like insects of the genus Orthophlebia ; dragon-flies, 

 Nepadw and Cwiicidee, Cicada, and the dipterous genus Asilus. 

 Next in age is the insect depository of the Stonesfield slate, 

 which affords the large wing-covers of Buprestis Biccklandi, 

 species of Priowus and Coccinclla, and the great neuropteran 

 Hemcrobioides. The Purbeck limestone has supplied, in addi- 

 tion, species of Cerylon and Colymbetcs, Cyphon, Hdophorus, 

 and Limnius ; and examples of Staphylinidw, Cantharidw, 

 Harpalidce, Hydrophilida',, and Tcncbrionidaz, Libcllula and 

 Pkryyanca, Achcta and Blatta, Aphis, Ccrcopis, and other 

 Homoptera, and ten dipterous genera. In the newer pliocene 

 fresh-water formations the recent Copris hmaris has been de- 

 tected, and the elytra of Donatio and HarpaJus. The principal 



