A guide to fossils /

Mayr has produced an excellent collection of photographs of fossil animals and plants, albeit heavily weighted to European species, terminology, and references. Positive features include a detailed table of contents, informative introduction, and species descriptions facing the photographs. The bibliography is short and the glossary adequate but not extensive. The species index to photographs is uneven, especially for higher taxonomic groups, as is coverage of animal groups (e.g. amphibians and birds one entry, one photograph; ammonoids 54 entries, 58 photographs). Mayr serves as a European complement to Ida Thompson's The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fossils (1982) which is more accessible. Due to its larger format, Gerard R. Case's Pictorial Guide to Fossils (1982) includes more even coverage of fossil groups, more pictures per group, and a significantly larger index and bibliography. David Lambert's Field Guide to Prehistoric Life (1985) includes more general information on a wider range of groups, but Mayr's photographs are superior. Recommended. J. R. Davidson; Augustana College