Mar 18, 2014 6:30 AM

Gallery: Science or Art? Beautiful Illustrations of Animals From 170 Years Ago

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The now-extinct Dodo bird, a former inhabitant of Mauritius. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296591)*)
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Thylacine, a carnivorous marsupial that's been extinct since 1936. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296581)*)

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Something resembling a fennec fox (described as a "big-eared dog," top), and something resembling a hyena. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296571)*)
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A kiwi (*Apteryx*) from New Zealand. These birds have the largest egg:body weight ratio. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296697)*)

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*Cynogale bennettii* (top), an otter civet, and *Bassariscus sp*, a ring-tailed cat. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296567)*)
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*Macroscelides typus*, now known as *M. proboscideus*, the short-eared elephant shrew. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296565)*)

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*Semnopithecus sp*, an Old World langur. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296599)*)
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*Phascolarctos cinereus*, a koala (top), and *Dasyure sp*, a short-haired marsupial mouse. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296583)*)

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Hoatzin birds look kind of like dinosaurs, and they supposedly taste terrible. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296597)*)
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*Euryceros prevostii*, a bizarre-looking bird that's also known as a Helmet Vanga. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296643)*)

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*Epimachus sp*, a bird-of-paradise. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296645)*)
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*Cacicus montezuma*, aka Montezuma's oropendola -- a bird with some of the most delightful vocalizations you'll hear. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296665)*)

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*Lepidosiren paradoxa*, the South-American lungfish, breathes air and looks like an eel with little fin-legs. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296703)*)
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SNAILS! (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296715)*)

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These tiny arachnids look like ticks or mites. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296707)*)
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Sipuncula are marine worms. They're also known as peanut worms. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296713)*)

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These guys are sea squirts -- squishy marine invertebrates. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296719)*)
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With their flickering rainbow colors, comb jellies (*Ctenophores*) are mesmerizing even on paper. (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296735)*)

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Echinoderms, aka sea urchins, have a tough shell and long, sharp spines (not shown). (*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296745)*)
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"Actinozoa" is a bygone classification in zoology that once included such critters as marine polyps, corals, jellies, rotifers, and sea urchins. ((*[Biodiversity Heritage Library](http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40296786)*)

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