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AMBER
INCLUSION
Inclusions are fossilized
bits of flora and fauna (the Latin word include means to
pull / draw into, to put into, to lock up). Inclusions
are found only in stratified amber, which formed while
large quantities of resin were stratifying. Insects and
bits of plants would cover them. The process cold repeat
itself for many times till glass coffins would form
fossilizing inside plants and insects. They have
preserved for millions; years even with the curly
substances (cetin and chitin).
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Only 8% bigger pieces are
fond with inclusions. Nevertheless they reveal much
important information on evolution of various forms of
life and also on amber forests, their flora and fauna.
About 3000 species of
fauna are fossilized in amber. The Palanga Amber Museum
has the collections of 15 000 inclusions. About 48,2% of
them are flies and mosquitoes - dipteral, very active
and agile insects. There are many ants (14,7%), spiders
(11,3%), beetles (10,3%) and other living beings that
were multiplying an or inside the bark or on soil.
Inclusions of small field and meadow fauna are extremely
rare: inclusions of orthoptera make 0,4%, of butterflies
- 0,1%.
Even more rare are
inclusions of bigger animals - mammals, birds, crawfish,
etc. In the collection of the Museum there is and
inclusion of a reptile (show - case 13).
It is interesting those
inclusions of flora make only 0,4%. The reason for this
was that the time when excreting did not coincide with
the time when trees were shedding their leaves and
needles. Only damaged and withered bits of plants would
get into amber.
;)
