Identify fossils with this handy reference guide. Authoritative text, crystal-clear photography, and a systematic approach make the Smithsonian handbook of Fossils the most comprehensive and concise pocket guide to fossils of the world. Packed with more than 1,000 full-color photographs of over 500 fossils, this handbook is designed to cut through the complex process of identification to enable you to recognize a species instantly. Expertly written and thoroughly vetted, each entry combines a precise description with annotated photography to highlight a fossil’s chief characteristics and distinguishing features. A full-color illustration, showing the fossil as a living as a living animal or plant, as well as color-coded bands providing at-a-glance facts for quick reference, complete each entry. For beginners and established enthusiasts alike, the Smithsonian Handbook of Fossils explains what a fossil is, how fossils are classified, and how to start a collection. To help you in the initial stages of identification, the book provides a visual key that makes it easy to recognize a fossil and place it in its correct genus. Finally, a concise glossary gives instant understanding of technical and scientific terms.