It's surprising how interesting one person's obsession can be if they've the enthusiasm and an ability to communicate it. A book on an obscure branch of palaeontology actually had me ferreting around local rock-shops trying to spot a Calymene or a Phacops or two. 300 million years provides a huge evolutionary canvas but only the fragmentary evidence of shells and limbs. The detective work behind the conclusions provides a fascinating glimpse into a long-dead world.
(Clive Yelf - bwl 28 February 2005 ) |
