Now universally understood as the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms, the word fossil derives from the Latin fossilis, meaning ‘dug up’. In its earliest use fossil applied also to any rock or mineral found in the ground. The current use of the word fossil became widespread by the early 1800s, although in the Australian gold rushes of the 1850, a prospector was known as a ‘fossicker’, which in time came sometimes to mean a troublesome person. Although fossicker and fossicking have disappeared from our current vocabulary, we still find fossil applied pejoratively to some old ideas and people.
In some of the illustrations listed the title fossil will seem inappropriate but they are from a time when the older wider meaning of Fossil applied.
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fossils
Fossils, ca1795-1805, published by Alexander Hogg who pioneered the publication of part works as weekly numbered issues. Includes crystals, concretions but the only fossils as we know them appear to be "pitholithos" and "oculatus lapis" which appear to be shelly limestone and agglomerate. Uncoloured engraving (14.5"x8.5") with clear plate mark. Brown stain on bottom edge and minor marginal tears not affecting plate area. Otherwise, in good condition.
£30
2
fossils
Fossils, tab. II, ca1795-1805, published by Alexander Hogg who pioneered the publication of part works as weekly numbered issues. Various plants, corals and "fishes" teeth. Uncoloured engraving (14.5"x8.5") with clear plate mark. Brown stain on bottom edge and minor marginal tears not affecting plate area. Otherwise, in very good condition.
£30
3
shells
Testaceous Animals, ca1795-1805, published by Alexander Hogg who pioneered the publication of part works as weekly numbered issues. Bold uncoloured engravings of various Echinoids, very attractive graphic. Slight brown spotting to margins and lower right corner is torn along plate edge; can be covered by framing. Otherwise, is in good condition.
Illustrations 
