LITTLE BOOK OF SHELLS: Gems of Nature

Shells are intricate structures selected by molluscs as their external skeletons, providing them with protection. They come in an array of shapes, sizes and colours and this beautifully illustrated book covers 75 individually coloured from original engravings shells such as frilly ribs of the Wedding Cake Venus, spiral chambers of a Nautilus, from pearl oysters to periwinkles and trumpets the introduces us to the extraordinary variety of forms with shells as delicate as porcelain, coloured with iridescent pastels, or boldly patterned with a glossy sheen. The Grinning Tun, Angular Triton, Clench's Helmet, Solander's Trivia, Eyed Cowrie, Telescope Snail, Great Keyhole Limpet, Long-Ribbed Limpet with its star shape, Giant Razor Shell, Spiny Venus, Lion's Paw, Common Crown Conch or the beautifully spiny Venus Comb Murex with its long 90 degree canal axis or the beautifully striped Zebra Volute are among the stunning images. Combined with fascinating facts on family, distribution, abundance, depth, habitat like the rocky bottom of the sea, feeding habits like carnivorous, and operculum like corneous or oval, we begin to identify and understand the subtlety and intricacy of each shell. 176 pages, over 100 colour artworks.
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