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Collecting Fossils by Jane Parker, Murray Weston, Steve Parker (1998)

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Synopsis
Presents information on how and where to find fossils, the preparation and tools needed for collecting them, and how to identify the various kinds: plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate.

Details
Publication Date:	1998-06-01
Edition Description:	Illustrated

Size
Length:	80 pages
Height:	10.3 in
Width:	8.0 in
Thickness:	0.5 in
Weight:	16.8 oz

Publisher's Note
Enter the amazing and fascinating world of fossil collecting and step back in time to uncover the secrets of the past. All of the basics of fossil collecting are covered here, including how to recognize the types of rock that are likely to contain fossils, and the tools, equipment, and techniques you'll need. Full color throughout.

Industry Reviews
Gr 6 Up Anyone fascinated by fossils and who has read about paleontology can use this handbook to begin a personal collection. The first half of the book is devoted to where and how to find fossils, plus some of the tools needed to retrieve them, leading up to the creation of a cleaning and storage station at home, with suggestions for arrangement and display. Parker lays out identification tips beginning with microscopic plants and bacteria through increasingly complex life forms. Outstanding close-up color photographs of real fossils set on a rough paper background give the appearance of three-dimensional objects. "Field Notes" on the two-page spreads bring out important facts from the text or give hints for finding or handling specimens. Captions that refer to groups of fossils do not always give enough description to determine which specimen is being identified. The volume lacks a bibliography or list for further reading despite the text's encouragement of more study and research. This is an extremely handsome guide to fossil collection and identification, yet practice, preferably with the guidance of an experienced fossil hunter, is needed to clarify the details. Some techniques are spelled out simply in Gregory, Niles, and Douglas Eldredge's The Fossil Factory (Addison-Wesley, 1989). Pair Parker's volume with Nathan Aaseng's American Dinosaur Hunters (Enslow, 1996), which describes the dedication, successes, and disappointments of famous fossil hunters to create a passion for this activity. Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY
Lopate

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Reviews

Why I purchased Collecting Fossils

Review created: 07/09/08

by:

flydeetin ( 52

)

See all reviews by flydeetin

When in Kentucky looking for Geodes, I began finding crinoid stems, and other fossils and decided I needed to collect more of them. When I got home I realized I had no reference books on them. I looked on Ebay found 3 books I like and this was one of them. It will be a guide I will use over and over as it is an amazing collection of fossils that are very findable in North America.
I am delighted and would purchase from this seller again!

Review ID: 10000000007900671

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Collecting Fossils

Review created: 01/02/07

by:

mkfullam ( 38

)

See all reviews by mkfullam

Have a nephew with a passion for fossils, it has great photos and wonderful descriptions for those with an interest - phenomenal book for kids and adults.

Review ID: 10000000002599408

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