《handbook of paleontology for beginners and amateurs part 1 the fossils》

List of illustrations9

Preface13

The nature, preservation and significance of fossils17

What is a fossil?17

How fossils are preserved18

Fossils according to nature of preservation27

Calcification30

Silicification30

Pyritization32

Hematite replacement32

Cavity filling33

Carbonization33

Preservation of fossils according to composition34

Calcite34

Aragonite35

Silica35

Lime phosphate36

Chitin36

Cellulose37

Objects indicating former presence of organisms38

Molds and casts38

Trails40

Burrows42

Tracks42

Impressions43

Coprolites44

Gastroliths45

Preservation of original form and color45

Objects due to inorganic agencies48

Clay concretions and pseudofossils48

Restorations, models, sections, "squeezes" etc49

Naming of fossils53

Significance of fossils54

Literature58

How to collect and prepare fossils60

The equipment60

Where and how to collect61

Labeling material63

Preparation of material for study or exhibition63

Literature64

Classification and description of animals65

Classification (with common names indicated)65

Description of invertebrates67

Geologic time scale68

Phylum Protozoa (Rhizopods: Foraminifera, Radio-larians, Amoeba etc.)70

Phylum Porifera (Sponges)73

Phylum Coelenterata78

Class Hydrozoa (Hydroids, jellyfishes, hydrocorallines etc.)78

Class Scyphozoa (Jellyfishes)87

Class Actinozoa (Sea anemones, corals)90

Phylum Echinodermata97

Class Asteroidea (Starfishes)98

Class Ophiuroidea (Brittle stars)104

Class Echinoidea (Sea urchins)105

Class Holothuroidea (Holothurians or sea cucumbers)109

Class Crinoidea (Crinoids)112

Class Blastoidea (Blastoids)117

Class Cystoidea (Cystids or cystoids)120

Phylum Annulata123

Class Chaetopoda (Earthworms, fresh-water worms, marine annelids)123

Phylum Molluscoidea127

Class Bryozoa (Moss animals)127

Class Brachiopoda (Brachiopods or lamp shells)132

Phylum Mollusca138

Class Pelecypoda (Bivalved shellfish: mussels,cockles, oysters, clams etc.)139

Class Gastropoda (Univalved shellfish: land snails, slugs, periwinkles, whelks etc.)149

Class Cephalopoda (Cuttlefish, squid, octopus,nautilus etc.)158

Class Amphineura (Chitons and allies)171

Class Scaphopoda (Scaphopods)171

Class Conularida (Conularids)172

Class Pteropoda (Pteropods)174

Phylum Arthropoda175

Class Crustacea176

Subclass Trilobita (Trilobites)181

Subclass Branchiopoda (Branchiopods)189

Subclass Ostracoda (Ostracods)193

Subclass Cirripedia (Barnacles)195

Subclass Malacostraca (Lobster, crayfish,true crabs etc.)197

Class Myriopoda (Millipedes, centipedes)203

Class Arachnida (Spiders, scorpions, eurypterids, horse-shoe crab etc.)204

Subclass Merostomata (Eurypterids, horseshoe crab etc.)207

Class Insecta (True or six-legged insects)216

Literature for invertebrates220

Description of vertebrates221

Phylum Vertebrata221

Class Ostracoderma (Ostracoderms or aberrant sharks)222

Class Pisces (Fishes)226

Class Amphibia (Amphibians: salamanders, frogs, toads etc.)235

Class Reptilia (Reptiles: turtles, crocodiles,lizards, snakes etc.)239

Class Ayes (Birds)256

Class Mammalia (Mammals, including man)263

Literature for vertebrates283

Classification and description of plants285

Classification (with common names indicated)285

Description287

Phylum Thallophyta (Diatoms, bacteria, fungi,algae etc.)287

Phylum Bryophyta (Liverworts and mosses)296

Phylum Pteridophyta (Ferns)298

Phylum Arthrophyta (Horsetails, calamites etc.)299

Phylum Lepidophyta (Club mosses, Lepidodendrons,Sigillarias etc.)303

Phylum Pteridospermophyta (Seed ferns)311

Phylum Cycadophyta (Cycads and allied forms)313

Phylum Coniferophyta (Conifers, Cordaites etc.)317

Phylum Angiospermatophyta (Flowering plants)322

Development of plants through the ages325

Literature for plants335

Bibliography336

Index343