Genre:

Extract, Reportage

Publications extracted:

Literary Gazette

Subjects:

Wonder, Natural History, Entomology, Physiology, Museums, Collecting

People mentioned:

William Clift , Joseph Banks

Institutions mentioned:

Royal College of Surgeons

    Describes the discovery of a live specimen of a species of Cerambyx, apparently sealed in a chamber within a plank of imported wood. Relates an earlier instance, in which a similar specimen was found alive in the timber of an old desk. Concludes: 'The inferences which may be drawn from these memorable phenomena, we leave to the Natural Philosopher: in a popular point of view, they are worth recording for their extreme curiosity'.