OSSES 'ED (Jurassic fossil bivalve) - Isle of Portland, Dorset

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'OSSES 'ED

Myophorella (Trigonia) incurva

150 million years old

Isle of Portland, Dorset

Natural mould of the interior of a Jurassic fossil bivalve from the Portland Limestone, which is well known in English folklore.

On the Isle of Portland the quarrymen referred to these as 'horses heads', which they are supposed to resemble when viewed from a particular direction, the large 'eyes' being the muscle impressions on the mould. The Dorset dialect reducing this to 'osses 'eds.

See the also following book which can be purchased here (£6) Formed Stones, Folklore and Fossils

Click on a picture for a larger image

Size: 6.5 x 4.5 x 3 centimetres
Weight: 71 grams