On a remarkable fossil Orthopterous Insect from the Coal-measures of Scotland

Abstract

The clay-ironstone of Coalbrook Dale, Shropshire, has already yielded the wing of one most interesting form of fossil locust, the Gryllacris (Corydalis) Brongniarti (Pl. IX. fig. 2), figured and described in Mantell's ‘Medals of Creation,’ in Murchison's ‘Siluria’ 4th edition, 1867, p. 300, woodcut 80, and, lastly, in the Geol. Mag. 1874, new series. Dec. ii. vol. i. pl. xiv. fig. 3; whilst the Coal-measures of Saarhruck and of Westphalia have yielded fossil remains of a Gryllacris and seven species of Blattinæ , or cockroaches, 4 Termites (white ants), 1 Acridites , 3 species of the Neuropterous genus Dictyoneura ; and from those of Grundy co., Illinois, U. S. A., 3 species of the genus Miamia , 1 of Mylacris , 1 of Megathentomum , 3 species of Euphemerites , and 1 doubtful species of Mantis have been described by Mr. S. H. Scudder, and from the Coal-measures of Cape Breton the genus Haplophlebium by the same author. Mr. Scudder has likewise described seven genera from more or less fragmentary remains in the Devonian rocks of New Brunswick. Dr. Anton Dohrn (Director of the Zoological Station at Naples) has described a new and most remarkable Neuropterous insect from the Permian (Todtliegende) of Birkenfeld, which he has named Eugereon Bœckingii , and regards as possibly belonging to an extinct order ( Dictyoptera ). It has been my good fortune during the past year to have placed in my hands, through the kindness of Edward Charlesworth, Esq., F.G.S., a most interesting fossil insect from the Coal-measures of Scotland. The insect in question