DECEMBER. 269 



of the insects existing in remote ages, now that the science 

 of Geology has gained so distinguished a place in the studies 

 of every lover of nature. They are chiefly found imbedded, 

 according to Dr, Burmeister, from whose valuable work I 

 abridge this notice, in a resin called amber, which is cast on 

 the shores of the Baltic, or found in the more recent strata. 

 The way in which insects have been enclosed in this sub- 

 stance can be no other, than that they stuck to it when in a 

 fluid state, and were enclosed by what continued to exude 

 from the tree ; according to the rapidity with which this 

 took place, depends the condition of the enclosed insect, 

 those which were quickly enveloped being in the most per- 

 fect state of preservation. The species of insects found in 

 amber seem to differ but little from those now existing, and 

 the number of different species already discovered is con- 

 siderable, showing that the class of insects must have been 

 then, as now, the most numerous : they are chiefly those 

 families which exist in woods and trees. Of the Order 

 Coleoptera are mentioned several of the families Elateridce, 

 Chrysomelidw, and Curcidionidce; of Hymenoptera, Ichneu- 

 mons, a small kind of Bee, and numerous Ants are specified. 

 Amber Lepidoptera are very rare ; Diptera, on the con- 

 trary, are common in the families Muscidce, Tabanidce, etc. 



