Hylonomus

From Freepedia

Hylonomus lyelli was an early reptile. It lived 315 million years ago during the Carboniferous era, As of 2005 it is the earliest confirmed reptile (Westlothiana is older but may be an amphibian). It was 20 cm long (including the tail) and probabably would have looked rather similar to modern lizards. It had small sharp teeth and probably ate millipedes and early insects. It is a precursor of later amniotes - mammals, reptiles and birds.

Fossils of Hylonomus have been found in the remains of fossilized tree stumps in Joggins, Nova Scottia. They were discovered by William Dawson in the 1800s. The name comes from the greek word for wood, and the name of the geologist, and Dawson's teacher, Charles Lyell.

References

Nova Scottia provincial fossils]