References
Reference
Davidson, Jane P (2002) Bonehead mistakes: The background in scientific literature and illustrations for Edward Drinker Cope's first restoration of Elasmosaurus platyurus; Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 152, pp.215-240
Bonehead mistakes: The background in scientific literature and illustrations for Edward Drinker Cope"s first restoration of Elasmosaurus platyurus
Principal Author
Jane P Davidson
Header
Academic paper
Journal
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia
Volume
152
Pages
215-240
Abstract
In 1868, Edward Drinker Cope incorrectly restored the type specimen of Elasmosaurus platyurus, by placing the skull at the end of the animal's tail. His error haunted him the rest of his career. In examining the scientific literature and popular science literature available to Cope prior to 1868, as well as taking note of the extent of knowledge which I suggest his professional colleagues shared with him concerning plesiosaurs, it seems impossible that he should have incorrectly restored the fossil. I further suggest that he made this error more than once, even after his mistake was pointed out to him.
Language
English