The 'fish with curling iron eyes', 1829
Watercolour of the front part of the fossil fish Squalo-raja (Spinacorhinus) polyspondila Agassiz, by Charles Weber, [1835]. Found in the Lias, Lyme Regis, and in the collection of Bristol Museum. Archive ref: LDGSL/613/4/99/1.
This rather strange specimen which she herself described as a ‘non-discript creature’ was found in two parts by Anning. The front part, comprising the head and vertebrae, measured around 17 inches (45cm), was discovered first probably in December 1829. Soon after Anning had written to her friend Charlotte Murchison and communicated with the geologist Charles Lyell (1797-1875, GSL membership no.498) about the fossil.
Word got round, and the find caused great excitement amongst the Fellowship of the Geological Society. Gideon Mantell (1790-1852, GSL membership no.463), in a letter Roderick Murchison in which he expressed his thanks to Charlotte Murchison for acting as an intermediary in acquiring fossils from Mary Anning for him, enquired if he’d heard any more about the new discovery.
"Are you aware of the destiny of the new fish with curling-iron eyes? Has Dr Buckland seen it, and is it, or is not a fish?"
Extract from a letter from Gideon Mantell to Roderick Murchison, 21 January 1830. Archive ref: LDGSL/838/M/8/8.
Gideon Mantell, c.1845. GSL/POR/10.