Brazilian fauna. Historical engraving of creatures of Brazil. These include a mantis at lower right, and several species of beetles and flies at lower

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Brazilian fauna. Historical engraving of creatures of Brazil. These include a mantis at lower right, and several species of beetles and flies at lower left. At centre left is a \flying dragon\", which appears to be confronting another lizard. Myths and legends about dragons may have been reinforced by sightings of large lizards. Some species do have flaps of skin by their sides, which they use to glide from tree to tree in tropical rain forests. This engraving was made in 1643 by the Dutch explorer and naturalist John Nieuhoff. He spent almost a decade in Brazil. His collected writings and artworks were published in a travelogue in 1665."

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Size: 3374px × 2367px
Photo credit: © GEORGE BERNARD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, art, brazil, brazilian, butterfly, creature, dragon, engraving, fauna, historic, historical, insects, lizard, mantis, mythical, mythological, nieuhoff, zoology