I want an Ichthyosaurus

Yes that’s right, I want an Ichthyosaurus. I mean, reptile-fish ancient madness, what’s not to love? And it was discovered by Mary Anning, a quite interesting British fossil collector and overlooked but accomplished paleontologist. For a cool $23,000 I could get this one (pictured above), but 1) that’s way out of my price range, and 2) I wouldn’t have room for it even if I could afford it. Oh cruel world.

Anyway, I came across this amazing creature yet again recently, this time thanks to James Gould and his book Time’s Arrow Time’s Cycle, and in particular his discussion of the famous geologist Charles Lyell and his Principles, where Ichthyosaurus comes up once again as well. Why an Ichthyosaurus you ask? Well, because it’s the perfect creature for my interests at the moment, and a perfect example of a hybrid creature, all which align nicely with the work I am doing right now for my dissertation research, which has increasingly drawn me to people like Lyell and Gould and Rudwick lately.

Until next time…is there an and, and is there a beginning?

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