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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Rocks, minerals & fossils
This is the story of the dinosaurs, uniquely retold through 50 of
the most significant findings from the fossil record. Each entry is
illustrated with special photography of original specimens that
illustrate both the history of dinosaur discovery and key
evolutionary events. Palaeontologist Paul M. Barrett explains the
importance of each fossil and how it marks a crucial inflection
point in an evolutionary dynasty that ruled the Earth for more than
150 million years. The book is divided into themed sections,
beginning with dinosaur ancestors before introducing all the major
dinosaur groups and moving on to the distinctive aspects of their
biology such as feeding, distribution, locomotion and behaviour.
The final section focuses on the first fossil birds including the
legendary Archaeopteryx, the feathered dinosaur that is widely
considered to be the first bird species.
Gemstones have been a source of fascination for Millenia, from the
icy brilliance of diamond and the soft iridescence of pearl, to the
deep red garnets treasured by ancient Egyptians and Victorians
alike. They are used for their natural beauty in jewellery, worn
for protection as talismans, associated with romance and power.
They are also of scientific importance, forming over billions of
years and containing secrets to the inner earth. This book examines
the world's most commonly encountered gemstones, exploring their
unique beauty, rarity, and durability. It reveals how these gem
materials formed, where they are mined, how they are identified by
their physical and optical properties, their enhancements and
imitations. Travelling through each gem's history and use in
adornment, it is filled with fascinating facts for the curious to
the professional. With sumptuous colour photographs, Gemstones is a
dazzling insight into the world of the rare and valuable.
Amber is a remarkable substance that originates from the resin of
trees that lived millions of years ago. Anything that became
trapped in this sticky resin was fossilized and perfectly
preserved. The insects and other inclusions found in amber today
are providing scientists with unique insights into the history of
life on Earth. In this new edition of "Amber", Andrew Ross provides
an engaging overview of this prehistoric substance and its
fossilized inclusions. The book explains how amber is formed, where
it is found and how to distinguish genuine amber from fakes. It
describes its many uses, both in art and science, and recounts the
elusive search for DNA from fossilized insects. Detailed keys and
stunning photographs, including previously unseen pieces of Burmese
amber from the Museum's collections, guide the reader in the
identification of species of insects and other amber inclusions.
"Amber" is essential reading for all those with an interest in this
natural time capsule.
Well-known geologist Nick Norman leads young readers into the absorbing world of geology. Budding rock collectors will find out all about the rocks that they’ll encounter in southern Africa, with a view to building their own rock collections.
Box of Rocks is packed with fascinating information about:
- how rocks form
- how to identify the different rock types
- what rocks are made of
- what different rocks are used for
- where to go to collect each rock type.
Readers will also learn about Stone Age tools, fossils and some of our best-known geological sites.
An illustrated guide to introduction to major fossil groups.
Revealing the incredible diversity of fossilised plants and animals
preserved for millions of years, this book profiles 300 examples of
the most common and fascinating fossils, using an entry by entry
approach. By including examples from all of the major variety of
fossilised life, from preserved trees and grasses to molluscs,
trilobites, fish and dinosaurs, Fossils offers a truly
comprehensive overview of fossils from every continent and gives a
sense of the huge amount of natural history available to us in the
fossil record. Each fossil is illustrated with a clear and
informative colour photograph, accompanied by informed and
accessible text. The fossilised plants and animals are grouped by
order, then within each order by family (and, where necessary,
within each family by subfamilies). For easy reference, each entry
includes a table of information on scientific name, order and
family, habitat, distribution, geological period and dimensions.
'Astounding ... To call this a "history" does not do justice to
Helen Gordon's ambition' Simon Ings, Daily Telegraph 'Awe-inspiring
... She has imbued geological tales with a beauty and humanity'
Shaoni Bhattacharya-Woodward, Mail on Sunday The story of the Earth
is written into our landscape: it's there in the curves of hills,
the colours of stone, surprising eruptions of vegetation. Wanting a
fresh perspective on her own life, the writer Helen Gordon set out
to read that epic narrative. Her odyssey takes her from the secret
fossils of London to the 3-billion-year-old rocks of the Scottish
Highlands, and from a state-of-the-art earthquake monitoring system
in California to one of the world's most dangerous volcanic
complexes in Naples. At every step, she finds that the apparently
solid ground beneath our feet isn't quite as it seems.
Although known for its gold production, California is a virtual
haven for rock and gem collectors. With this fully revised and
updated edition, you can explore the mineral-rich desert regions,
comb tide-washed beaches for jade, agate, abalone, fossilized whale
bone, and prospect in the mountains and hills for gold, copper, and
other minerals and gems. It describes 75 of the state's best
rockhounding sites and covers popular and commercial sites as well
as numerous little-known areas. This handy guide also describes how
to collect specimens, includes maps, directions, and GPS
coordinates for each site, and lists rockhound clubs around the
state. Rockhounding California offers a complete introduction to
this many-faceted hobby.
For 150 million years, dinosaurs were the undisputed rulers of the
Earth. Today, these great lizards still fire our imaginations.
Dinosaurs profiles the creatures who lived during the great Age of
Reptiles, the real-life giants and monsters such as the
Tyrannosaurus Rex and Stegosaurus who once dominated our planet.
Also featured are many of the prehistoric world's other most
fearsome and awe-inspiring creatures, from huge birds of prey to
ferocious sabre-toothed cats. The entries are grouped
chronologically, with examples drawn mainly from the Triassic,
Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. Each dinosaur or other prehistoric
creature is illustrated with a stunning, full-colour artwork. For
easy reference, each entry also includes a table of information
containing key data such as size, weight, diet, meaning of name,
armour, hunting techniques and distribution of fossil remains.
Engaging accessible text provides an introduction to each
dinosaur's behaviour, habits and other key information.
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