The Elements of Palaeontology [Paperback]

This is a revised and updated version of Rhona Black's successful and highly acclaimed textbook.A chapter on trace fossils has been added, the chapter on microfossils expanded and a section on pollen is now included in this thoroughly revised and updated edition of an acclaimed textbook.A chapter on trace fossils has been added, the chapter on microfossils expanded and a section on pollen is now included in this thoroughly revised and updated edition of an acclaimed textbook.This is a revised and updated version of Rhona Black's successful and highly acclaimed textbook. Aimed at students approaching the subject for the first time, The Elements of Palaeontology achieves an approach simple enough for beginning students, yet with sufficient depth and breadth of coverage for those wishing to delve further into the early history of life. The author deals systematically with all the groups of fossilised organisms: invertebrates and vertebrates, microfossils, plants and trace fossils, describing their morphology and dealing briefly with the biological aspects of palaeontology. The relevant technical terms are clearly defined and a glossary is included for each of the main invertebrate groups. In this second edition, a chapter on trace fossils has been added, the chapter on microfossils expanded, and a section on pollens included with the plants. In each case the superb illustrations have been added to, with the inclusion of many new electron micrographs.Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Mollusca - introduction and Class Bivalvia; 3. Mollusca - Class Gastropoda plus minor mollusc classes; 4. Mollusca - Class Cephalopoda; 5. Cnidaria; 6. Brachiopoda; 7. Arthropoda; 8. Echinodermata; 9. Graptolithina; 10. Miscellany of minor groups; 11. Microfossils; 12. Trace fossils; 13. Vertebrata - introduction and fish; 14. Vertebrata - tetrapods; 15. Kingdom Plantae - plants; 16. Epilogue; Additional reading; Index. ...a beautifully illustrated palaeontological textbook of lÓ$