Acer palmatum, although there are more than 100 species of maple worldwide, only one species (Acer campestre) is native to the UK.

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Amber
The Natural Time Capsule

Andrew Ross

Amber gives a fascinating overview of this prehistoric substance and its fossilized inclusions. Written by the Museum's Curator of Fossil Arthropods, the book describes how amber is formed from the resin of ancient trees, and where in the world this remarkable material can been found. It tells how to distinguish genuine amber from fake, describes its many uses, both in art and science, and recounts the elusive search for DNA from insect inclusions. The book also gives detailed keys and photographs to guide the reader in the identification of species of insects and other inclusions that have been trapped and preserved in amber. Lavishly illustrated throughout, Amber is an essential purchase for all those interested in amber and its inclusions.

Published by the Natural History Museum.

Key features

  • Stunning colour illustrations throughout
  • Detailed keys to organisms trapped in amber
  • Essential introduction to amber in all its uses
  • Includes items from the 'behind the scenes' Museum collection

Contents
What is amber?, The properties of amber, Fake amber, The uses of amber, Where is amber found?, Baltic amber, Dominican amber, What is a species?, Amber inclusions, Animal interactions, Plant inclusions, The search for DNA, Biogeography, Arthropods, The insect fossil record, Insects, Incomplete metamorphosis, Incomplete metamorphosis - bugs, Complete metamorphosis, Complete metamorphosis - flies, Wasps, bees and ants, Beetles, Glossary, Index, Further reading and credits.

About the author
Andrew Ross is the Curator of Fossil Arthropods in the Natural History Museum's Department of Palaeontology. He began curating the Museum's amber collection in 1993.

About the Earth Series
The Natural History Museum's Earth Series explores the physical aspects of the natural world, from the processes that have shaped our planet since its formation, to the outcome of those natural processes.

Reviews
 "This book positively glows with the lustrous, resinous qualities of amber." Geology Today

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Amber cover

Order this book from our Online Bookshop

US/Canada individuals and trade customers: order from Harvard University Press

Aus/NZ individuals and trade customers: order from CSIRO

UK/rest of world individual customers: order from our Online Bookshop

Specifications

ISBN: 0 565 09131 X
Price: £7.95
Format: Paperback
Size: 200 x 210 mm
Extent: 72 pp, full colour throughout
Published: September 1998
Subject classification: Popular science; mineralogy; palaeontology