The National Era
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Description: A Pre-Adamite Caterpillar – Entombed in Solid Coal for Millions of Years but Springs to Life
Date: March 2 1848Newspaper published in: Washington, DC
Page/Column: 36
A Pre-Adamite Caterpillar – Entombed in Solid Coal for Millions of Years but Springs to Life
Last week the men employed in opening a new colliery a Northop, near Hawarden, Flintshire, brought up a piece of solid coal. It happened to get broken when a shell was discovered inside containing a live caterpillar. We understand that this extraordinary reptile remained alive for two days after it was rescued from the prison in which it had been confined from the time when the coal was overwhelmed and buried in the bowels of the earth. The shell and the remains of the caterpillar have been sent to the Museum of Kings College, London. There have been numerous instances of frogs and toads being found buried alive in the midst of solid rocks, but this is the only instance that we remember of a caterpillar having been found alive in such a tomb.