Lophognathus, Diplodactylus,
Oedura, Gehyra, Aprasia, Delma,
Carlia, Egernia, Morethia and
Teliqua amongst others!
John Gray can also lay claim to the
earliest book devoted entirely to
Australian reptiles. The Lizards of
Australia and New Zealand in the
Collection of the British Museum,
published in 1867, is often referred
to simply as ‘Gray’s lizards’ and
consisted of the examination of part
of a collection derived from an
expedition under the command of Sir
James Clark Ross.
Gray’s wife, Maria, was a celebrated
conchologist, and rendered him
considerable assistance, especially in
the form of drawings. He was also
ably supported by his colleague and
younger brother, George. John Gray
was a prominent member of many
scientific societies, and quite
possible the first known stamp
collector, since he is believed to have
preserved a number of Penny Blacks
purchased on their first day of issue
in 1840. He died in 1875.
3.
4.
1. John Gray; a portrait taken in
1851.
2. A later photograph; date
unknown.
3. Gray with his wife Maria in
1863.
4. Gray’s signature.
5. A beautiful plate from
‘Gray’s lizards’. Odatria ocellata
(Gray 1845) is immediately
recognisable today as Varanus
acanthurus.
1,2, 3 & 4. sourced from Creative Com-
mons.
1. licence: https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
2. licence: https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
1 & 2. These files come from Wellcome
Images, a website operated by Wellcome
Trust, a global charitable foundation
based in the United Kingdom.
5.