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Head of the Gangetic Crocodile (Lacerta Gangetica Lin.)

Object Status:

Unlocated

Accession Date:

April 17, 1822

Primary Source Reference:

Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 119

Additional Source Text:

"Dep[osite]d by Dr. R. Harlan"

Notes:

Linnaeus's Lacerta gangetica is now Gavialis gangeticus, or the gharial.

The donor, Richard Harlan (1796-1843), M.D., was an American paleontologist, anatomist, and physician. He was appointed the Peale Museum's professor of comparative anatomy in April 1821.

Current Common Name:

Gharial

Current Scientific Name

Gavialis gangeticus