A practical pocket-sized guide to identifying, collecting and understanding all types of fossil.The introduction describes how fossils form and the history of ancient life, all illustrated with colour artworks. The classification and distribution of fossils are described, giving essential background information for collectors. The fascinatinghistory of fossil collecting is described before detailed and practical information about how to go about collecting fossils - everything from how to find sites and specimens to how to store and display fossils.An important feature of Philip's Guide to Fossils is a comprehensive and effective visual identification key. This makes it easy for the reader to discover the major classification of a fossil and so locate the right section of the book for detailed identification.The main section of the book goes through every major group of fossils, from trilobites to tree ferns, and includes a wide international range, from the common and easy-to-find to some (such as dinosaur bones) that would crown the collection of any amateur. The section is lavishly illustrated with colour photographs and clear descriptive text accompanies each image.Main map scale: