OWEN, RICHARD. - COINING THE NAME "MEGALANIA PRISCA" - THE GIANT EXTINCT GOANNA.

Description of some Remains of a Gigantic Land-Lizard (Megalania prisca, Owen). Received May 13, - Read June 17, 1858.

(London, Taylor and Francis, 1859). 4to. No wrappers as extracted from "Philosophical Transactions" 1859 - Vol. 149 - Part I. Pp. 43-48 a. 2 lithographed plates.

First printing of this paper in which Owen named Magalania prisca, Owen.

Megalania ("great roamer")) is a giant extinct goanna or monitor lizard. It was part of a megafaunal assemblage that inhabited southern Australia during the Pleistocene, and appears to have disappeared around 40,000 years ago.The first aboriginal settlers of Australia may have encountered living Megalania.

The name Megalania prisca was coined by Sir Richard Owen to mean "Ancient Great Roamer"; the name was intended to "reference to the terrestrial nature of the great Saurian".

Order-nr.: 42996