The Little Book of Shells : Gems of Nature

Dip into the intriguing world of shells with this beautifully illustrated guide to 75 weird and wonderful examples. When we pick up a shell on the beach, we notice its beautiful shape or attractive colours , but how often do we consider what it tells us about the creature that made it, and the evolutionary journey that led to its particular characteristics? This book introduces you to the extraordinary variety of forms into which molluscs mould their shells, and the impressive types of external protection they have developed for a range of habitats. Intricate structures shown here range from the tapering whorls of a triangular nutmeg to the spectacular spines of the Venus Comb Murex, from the spiral chambers of a nautilus to the frilly ribs of the wedding cake venus. These distinctive features of shells not only tell us about their genealogy, but also serve as an archive of the animal's life , indicating its size, habitat and growth pattern. And this gallery of pearl oysters, periwinkles, cowries and many more illustrates how shells can be as delicate as porcelain, coloured with iridescent pastels, or boldly patterned with a glossy sheen. The Little Book of Shells combines stunning images with fascinating facts in a handy format, equipping you with all you need to know to identify and understand the subtlety and intricacy of each shell you encounter during walks on the beach. Cover Half Title Title Copyright CONTENTS Introduction The Shells West Indian Chiton Gumboot Chiton Atlantic Turkey Wing Green Mussel Pearl Oyster White Hammer Oyster Rugose Pen Shell Lion's Paw American Thorny Oyster Caribbean Piddock Clam Common Watering Pot True Heart Cockle Spiny Venus Wedding Cake Venus Pacific Asaphis Giant Razor Shell Naval Shipworm Elephant Tusk Long-Ribbed Limpet Bonin Island Limpet Rumphius' Slit Shell Staircase Abalone Donkey's Ear Abalone Great Keyhole Limpet Imperial Delphinula Commercial Top Giant Knobbed Cerith Great Screw Shell Slit Worm Snail Telescope Snail Zebra Periwinkle Pagoda Prickly Winkle Violet Spider Conch Lister's Conch Rooster-Tail Conch Shinbone Tibia Mediterranean Pelican's Foot Eyed Cowrie Map Cowrie Tiger Cowrie Common Egg Cowrie Solander's Trivia Colorful Atlantic Moon Frilled Frog Shell Clench's Helmet Graceful Fig Shell Common Distorsio Angular Triton Trumpet Triton Grinning Tun Precious Wentletrap Waved Goblet Lightning Whelk Common Dove Shell Common Crown Conch Scorpion Murex Deer Antler Murex Venus Comb Murex Pink-Mouth Murex Australian Trumpet Zebra Volute Junonia Tent Olive Ventral Harp Episcopal Miter Queen Vexillum Triangular Nutmeg Japanese Wonder Shell Matchless Cone Marble Cone Duplicate Auger Terebra Pyram Woody Canoebubble Crusty Nautilus Horned Paper Nautilus Glossary Index Acknowledgments When we pick up a shell on the beach, we notice its beautiful shape or attractive colours, but how often do we consider what it tells us about the creature that made it, and the evolutionary journey that led to its particular characteristics? This book introduces you to the extraordinary variety of forms into which molluscs mould their shells, and the impressive types of external protection they have developed for a range of habitats. The intricate structures shown here range from the tapering whorls of a bell clapper to the spectacular spines of the Venus Comb Murex, from the spiral chambers of a nautilus to the frilly ribs of the wedding cake venus. These distinctive features of shells not only tell us about their genealogy, but also serve as an archive of the animal's life, indicating its size, habitat and growth pattern. And this gallery of pearl oysters, periwinkles, cowries and many more illustrates how shells can be as delicate as porcelain, coloured with iridescent pastels, or boldly patterned with a glossy sheen The Little Book Of Shells Introduces You To 75 Exquisite Examples From Around The World.