Crystal Palace Maquette - Labyrinthodon

Description

A scale model in bronze showing the life-size *Labyrinthodon* statue erected in Crystal Palace Park, London, in 1853-1855. The models were probably made by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins. The species that the models are based on is now recognised scientifically as *Mastodonsaurus*, meaning “breast tooth lizard”. The name “*Labyrinthodon*” was the nineteenth century anatomist Richard Owen’s attempt to replace *Mastodonsaurus* with a name he thought better suited the animal, but is no longer formally recognised. However, it is still used informally to refer to the Crystal Palace models. *Mastodonsaurus* is included within a group called ‘temnospondyls’ – giant tetrapods (four legged animals) that are thought to be primitive amphibians. For more information, see [https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/statue-details/labyrinthodon](https://cpdinosaurs.org/visit/statue-details/labyrinthodon).