The Fossils of the South Downs
The Fossils of the South Downs
£46.00
GBPGideon Mantell (1790–1852) was an English physician and geologist best known for pioneering the scientific study of dinosaurs. After an apprenticeship to a local surgeon in Sussex, Mantell became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1811. He developed an interest in fossils, and in 1822 his discovery of fossil teeth which he later identified as belonging to an iguana-like creature he named Iguanadon spurred research into ancient fossils. This volume, first published in 1822, contains Mantell's early research into fossil remains of southern England. Arranged according to rock type and strata, Mantell provides descriptions and analysis of fossil tropical plants, fish, molluscs and what he described as 'an animal of the lizard tribe, of enormous magnitude'. This volume was the first published work to describe a collection of dinosaur remains and provides a fascinating view of early palaeontological research before the formation of the discipline.
Product details
September 2010Paperback
9781108021098
440 pages
297 × 210 × 23 mm
1.05kg
37 b/w illus. 4 colour illus. 1 map
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Preliminary essay
- 2. Geographical description of the south-eastern division of Sussex
- 3. Geological structure of the county
- 4. Green sand formation
- 5. Iron sand
- 6. Tilgate limestone, etc.
- 7. Weald clay, and Sussex marble
- 8. Green sand
- 9. Chalk formation
- 10. Blue chalk marl
- 11. Grey chalk marl
- 12. Lower chalk
- 13. Upper, or flinty chalk
- 14. Tertiary formations
- 15. Druid sandstones
- 16. Plastic clay
- 17. London clay
- 18. Alluvial formations
- 19. Diluvium
- 20. Alluvium
- 21. Concluding observations
- 22. List of new genera and species
- 23. Explanation of the plates
- Index.
