254 Rey. F. W. Hope’s Observations 
differing in thickness, and on their surface the major part of the 
insects are imbedded. Of the various specimens of rock which I 
examined and split into lamine, the two upper appeared to contain 
a much larger proportion of insects than the remainder, and the 
second from the top afforded generally specimens of plants half 
carbonized; some of the fossil insects were also of a ferruginous and 
ochreous colour. ‘Terrestrial and aquatic species are mingled 
together. Some of the Coleoptera are frequently without their 
antennz, femora and tarsi, and appear, from their contorted posi- 
tion and mutilation of limbs, to have struggled hard to avoid their 
inhumation. The Diptera, on the contrary, which are amongst 
the most elegant fossils known, seem to be uninjured, and in great 
perfection ; indeed it is difficult to imagine how such delicately 
attenuated fragile forms (with limbs scarcely thicker than gossamer 
silk) are found in any state of preservation. The presence of 
the genera Limnobia, Coreihra, Trichocera and Tipula, lead one to 
the conclusion that the waters, if they carried the insects down in 
their course, must have very gradually and gently subsided. 1 
cannot help thinking, from the perfect state in which many of them 
appear, that the insects (as the waters were absorbed) settled on 
the slimy deposit, and instantly became enveloped: another flood 
would bring down an increase of sediment, and cover the insects 
entirely; in such a way apparently the different laminz were 
formed, and the insects preserved. In concluding these remarks 
I have only to add, that if the present paper is thought worthy of 
the attention of the Society, I shall have some other opportunities 
of adding to these observations, and give also some account of the 
fossil insects of Sinigaglia, a locality nearly as rich as Aix, but one 
which, from inquiries, seems to be scarcely known in England. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE FOSSIL SPECIES OF INSECTS. 
Sp. 1, Balaninus Barthelemyi, Hope. Aix. 
(Pl. XIX. fig. 1.) 
Faunicolor, rostro crasso, subtilissime punctato, thorace convexo, 
confertissime tuberculato, tuberculis rotundatis, elytrisque 
striato-sulcatis, striis punctis elevatis serie dispositis, 
Long. lin. 43, lat. lin. 12. 
The above specimen was given me by Monsieur Barthelemy of 
Marseilles; it is named in honour of that zealous naturalist. It 
appears, from the state of the proboscis and fragments of the 
femora, to have suffered much from abrasion. In colour it closely 
resembles some recent species still found in the vicinity of Aix. 
