Title: Vertebrae and ribs of an ichthyosaur (Temnodontosaurus platyodon)

Creator: Engraved by James Basire after drawing by William Clift

Description: Engraving of the vertebrae and ribs of an ichthyosaur (Temnodontosaurus platyodon) found by Mary Anning (1799-1847) in November 1812. Her older brother Joseph (1796-1849) had found the skull the previous year. This creature was the siblings’ first major find and although fragments of ichthyosaurs had been found before, this particular specimen initiated the first scientific description of these dolphin-like, marine reptiles by Everard Home (1756-1832) in 1814. From Home, E, “Some account of the fossil remains of an animal more nearly allied to fishes than any of the other classes of animals”, ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society’, vol 104 (1814), pp571-577 

Date: 1814

Format: Engraving

Image reference: 27-02

Recommended print size: Up to 16 x 12 inches (40 x 30cm)