Shells (White Star Guides) - Softcover

Gabbi, Giorgio

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8854400939 ISBN 13: 9788854400931

Publisher: White Star, 2005

Synopsis

Brimming with superb underwater photographs, hundreds of meticulously drawn color illustrations, tables, and graphs, this volume invites readers to observe the complex and beautiful world of shells more closely. The first part of the book explains how mollusks are formed and analyzes their anatomical structure. The text describes the vital functions of mollusks, including feeding, reproduction, and defense, and is accompanied by vivid photographs that bring to life small dramas of everyday life under water. Essential information for collectors is provided on how to classify, catalogue, and preserve shells. The latter part of the book is an exhaustive field guide to shells of the world, featuring photographs and descriptions of more than 400 different types. With its user-friendly layout and handy, portable format, this handbook is a superb travel companion and an invaluable reference for naturalists.

About this title

Synopsis

Trades like colns, collected like precious stones, revered like amulets, conches are the mysterious ladies of the ocean: collared and luminous, chiselled or smooth, they elicit curiosity in divers and enthuse collectors. This volume, with its ample repertory of underwater images, drawings and biological tables, is aimed at all those who love these gems from the ocean and wish to discover their thousand secrets. Prodigies of nature, harmonious shapes on materials of an intriguing lucidity, conches are splendid custodian of a secret dating from the beginning of time: in fact, what arcane law of nature has given these "insignificant" molluscs the ability to build perfect logarithmic spirals, shields of polished porcelain, iridescent mother-of-pearl and pearls of sublime luminosity? Only in this century has the exploration of the abysses, a conquest of modern science, begun to lift the veil of mystery: biochemistry and biological engineering is writing completely new chapters on the dynamics leading to the construction of the extraordinary "buildings" represented by conches.

This volume, equipped with splendid underwater photographs, hundreds of colour illustrations, tables and graphs, covers everything science has discovered on these authentic natural gems, their habitats, evolution and physiology. More than a simple biological, it contains: Over 400 shell types illustrated and described; it is in a handy format; "White Star Guides Underwater World" series.

About the Author

Journalist Giorgio Gabbi is a passionate and experienced shell collector and member of the Italian Malacological Society. He has written for and been on staff at many magazines including Genius, the monthly science magazine of which he was editorial director.

About this edition

• Publisher: White Star
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 8854400939
• ISBN 13: 9788854400931
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168