The Fossils of the South Downs
Or, Illustrations of the Geology of Sussex

The first published descriptions of different dinosaur and other fossil remains from southern England, first published in 1822.

Gideon Algernon Mantell (Author)

9781108021098, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 September 2010

440 pages, 37 b/w illus. 4 colour illus. 1 map
29.7 x 21 x 2.3 cm, 1.05 kg

Gideon 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.

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.

Subject Areas: Geology & the lithosphere [RBG]