Impressions of Raindrops

James Deane (mentioned on object), 1861

In 1835 the American physician Deane became interested in tracks he had found near Greenfield, his place of residence. He suspected that prehistoric birds had made them. He debated the nature of these tracks with an eminent fellow geologist up to his death. Published posthumously in 1861, the book on display includes photographs of fossil footprints, as well as recently fallen raindrops.