94 
MR. A. S. FOORD ON EAST COAST AMBER. 
A few observations as to the mode of occurrence of the insects 
may now be made. One piece of Amber was almost entirely 
occupied by a number of minute creatures which at first sight 
looked like Ants ; but on bringing a Browning lens to bear upon 
them, their true forms were at once apparent, and they proved 
to be Beetles (Platypus). Another piece was tenanted by a 
Cockroach ( Blatta orientalis), with a small Fly for his companion 
(which was too indistinct to be drawn), the former monopolising 
the greater portion of their joint habitation. A third piece 
contained two Bees (Apis mellifica ) side by side, nearly all the 
characters of which were clearly visible; the blackish-brown colour 
of the body, the hair with which the Hive Bee is generally clothed, 
with the colour bands on the abdomen, could all be distinctly 
seen. The compound eyes were also well shown. 
There were likewise two Spiders, but these were pronounced by 
Mr. Waterhouse to be undeterminable. 
There were also two or three vegetable organisms enclosed ; 
one, a leaf, whose affinities may perhaps be recognized from the 
figure ; another, which is of doubtful character, reminded one of a 
pollen-mass. 
I may here state that a small unpolished specimen of Amber 
of the opaque kind, in my possession, is encrusted with a polyzoan, 
proving its marine origin beyond a doubt. 
I was informed by Mrs. Burwood that the collection I have 
briefly described occupied many years in its formation, as might 
well be imagined from the large number of specimens contained 
in it. Whatever may be the source whence this remarkably 
fine collection came, one cannot but admire the industry and 
judgment of the collector, by whose hands the pieces were 
fashioned into the beautiful objects they now present. 
Though I am unable to exhibit any of the figured specimens 
to the members of this Society, I have put a few out of my own 
collection into your Secretary’s hands, and these perhaps may serve 
as examples of the rest, including the specimen referred to by 
Mr. Beicl in his paper of ‘29th January, 1884, lent by me for that 
occasion. 
The following is a list of the insects figured on the accompanying 
plate : — 
