As I suspect with many others, my first introduction to the Dodo was via Lewis Carroll, and the illustrations of John Tenniel. Without knowing much about them, I was instantly fascinated by the their look; even if at the time I probably imagined they were fictitious.
When much older I acquired an original 1791 edition of Oliver Goldsmith's 'History of the Earth and Animated Nature', in which Elias Martin's illustration was probably the one 'plagiarised' by Tenniel (above). I only have the one book from Goldsmith's series of eight; but I do have the most important one containing not only that illustration of the Dodo, but also of the Camelopard (at the time it was thought that the Giraffe was a cross between a Camel and a Leopard). My copy of the book is in a dreadful state, and as such is ripe for 'breaking', so as to frame the wonderful illustrations individually.
The poor Dodo's days were numbered as soon as it was first discovered. It had no natural predators, it couldn't fly, and when roasted would feed about 20 men. It didn't pay to be friendly with hungry sailors around.
19 comments:
The expression "as dead as a dodo" is very poignant. When a creature becomes extinct it is of course gone forever. The dodo became extinct some time between 1662 and 1690. R.I.P..
Having all been consumed by hungry sailors.
I've never missed it.
Not the prettiest of birds ..... I’ve managed to live without it !!! Love the John Tenniel illustrations though. XXXX
I think Linnaeus was a little unkind.
Recent investigations suggested that their demise was actually brought about by goats being introduced to their island, and destroying their habitat and nests (they were of course ground-nesting) and DNA testing of some remains in a museum somewhere in UK revealed they are a species of pigeon! Pie anyone?
Out of all your fascinating post the word 'camelopard' jumped out at me. The word for giraffe in greek is camelopardeli. Now I know it's origin.
Poor Dodo. We seem to have a habit of killing off entire species.
You could have been having Roast Dodo for Christmas, if they hadn't eaten them all.
Tenniel's were by far the best.
When you invent a system such as his, you are eventually bound to run out of names!
That's not what they said at the time. Why is it that things seem to become clearer after centuries have passed. I'm sticking to their first hand explanation.
Have a look for Elias Martin's illustration on Google images. It must be there.
JayCee, I suspect we've only just started!
Can't say I fancy roast Dodo - but then I have never tasted it.
At the rate they were eating them, I should think it was very good. Probably not unlike Turkey.
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