by John Edward Gray
from Illustrations of Indian Zoology
original hand coloured lithograph
Captioned ‘1. Temera Hardwickii, 2. Jaws Of Rhina Ancy Lostoma.‘
This lithograph features a Temera hardwickii (Finless Sleeper Ray) which is commonly found in the continental shelf of South East Asia. The species was named by zoologist John Edward Gray after General Thomas Hardwicke presented two specimens of the species. Also depicted are two cross sectional views comparing the mouth of a Finless Sleeper Ray and a Shark Ray (Rhina ancylostoma)
John Edward Gray of the British Museum had collaborated with Maj.-Gen. Hardwicke in producing Illustrations of Indian Zoology between 1830 and 1834. He was also the author of several major illustrated works on natural history and commissioned the best artists and printers of the day to illustrate his work. The Illustrations of Indian Zoology is his major work, dedicated to the East India Company, and with the striking plates of bird and animal life in the sub-continent drawn by Waterhouse Hawkins, the noted sporting artist. The subscription amounted to thirty-nine home and thirteen foreign.
Size framed (cms): 56.5 (H) x 44 (W)
Size framed (inches): 22 (H) x 17.5 (W)
