Manta & devil rays are some of the most charismatic creatures in the ocean. Born into a life of perpetual motion, these rays must keep swimming to survive. Driven forward by powerful beats of their wing-like pectoral fins, these filter feeding rays search the ocean currents for prey, their horn-like cephalic (head) fins giving rise to ancient mariners` tales of fearsome devilfish dragging boats into the depths. Beloved by scuba divers & marine biologists alike, these impressive animals have never had a comprehensive field guide dedicated to them
- until now. Guide to the Manta & Devil Rays of the World

Includes:: detailed information on the identification, characteristics, threats & distribution for each of the species within this family of rays. Illustrated with over 200 beautiful colour photos, drawings & plates, this guide also contains an expansive introduction packed full of useful information on the general taxonomy, biology & behaviour of these iconic animals. This book will be an invaluable field companion for any scientist, diver or marine enthusiast who has an interest in these fascinating creatures. It is an essential resource for fisheries management, international trade enforcement, & for anyone wanting to become involved in the ongoing efforts to research & conserve this threatened family of rays.


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Back in 1997, New Labour came to power amid much talk of regenerating the inner cities left to rot under successive Conservative governments. Over the next decade, British cities became the laboratories of the new enterprise economy: glowing monuments to finance, property speculation, & the service industry-until the crash. In A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain, Owen Hatherley sets out to explore the wreckage-the buildings that epitomized an age of greed & aspiration. From Greenwich to Glasgow, Milton Keynes to Manchester, Hatherley maps the derelict Britain of the 2010s: from riverside apartment complexes, art galleries & amorphous interactive centers, A” to shopping malls, call centers & factories turned into expensive lofts. In doing so, he provides a mordant commentary on the urban environment in which we live, work & consume. Scathing, forensic, bleakly humorous, A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain is a coruscating autopsy of a get-rich-quick, aspirational politics, a brilliant, architectural state we`re in.A” ...

A beginners` guide to serious practical astronomy, written in a lively, engaging style. Aimed at helping you to identify the main constellations, identify & observe the planets & deep sky objects such as binary stars & nebulae. Also

Includes:: advice on choosing a telescope & information on observing the sun, moon, occultations, eclipses, asteroids, meteor showers & so on.

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A completely revised & redesigned new edition of this popular introduction to the night sky. In his characteristically entertaining & informative style, Sir Patrick introduces the wonders of the night sky to absolute beginners. The Moon, the planets, the Sun & the stars are explained in non-technical language, & then the constellations are introduced, with the help of star maps & tables. The four main chapters in the Philip's Guide to the Night Sky are devoted to what's on view in each season of the year. The information is appropriate for observers in Britain & Irel&, northern Europe, northern United States & Canada; it will also be helpful a little outside these latitudes. Using prominent patterns, such as the Plough & Orion, Sir Patrick teaches the reader to 'star-hop' from constellation to constellation, thus learning to navigate the night sky. Star maps & photographs illustrate & clarify what will be on view. Philip's Guide to the Night Sky is an ideal introduction to stargazing, suitable for all ages & with no need for anything more technical than the naked eye. Main map scale: ...

From Stonehenge to Callanish, from Newgrange to Er-Lannic, great prehistoric stone circles have drawn thousands of admiring visitors to their sites every year. This practical guidebook deals comprehensively with the stone circles of Britain & Ireland & with the cromlechs & megalithic `horseshoes` of Brittany. Featuring information, useful maps & more than 70 photographs, this is a resource for those interested in the mysteries of the ancient sanctuaries known as stone circles. This new edition will include a section on ` Druidical` circles, romantic creations of the late eighteenth & early nineteenth centuries. ...

The Sun has been an object of scientific interest since the time of the ancient Greeks. The vast amounts of observational data acquired in recent years have led to a greatly enhanced knowledge of the physics of the Sun. With a minimum of technicalities, this book gives an account of what we now know about the Sun's interior, its surface & atmosphere, its relation to the solar system including the earth, & its relation to other stars. The way that solar power is being converted to useful forms of energy is explained. The book is aimed at anyone with a broad science background interested in learning about the latest developments in solar studies, from those at high-school level to the non-specialist professional. ...

MAJOR & MRS HOLT'S Concise, Illustrated BATTLEFIELD GUIDE TO THE WESTERN FRONT- SOUTH contains many fascinating but little-visited areas by travellers & is hoped that they will tempted further afield than the 'showcase' & sophisticatedly presented battlefields like the Somme to discover some marvellous sites. Many of them have lain virtually 'dormant' for many years (such as areas of the Meuse-Argonne & Champagne) but have recently been renovated & opened up by dedicated local enthusiasts. There are many 'gems' in store in this book. Each battlefield starts with some pertinent"ations by participants, has a succinct Summary of the Battle, Opening Moves & What Happened sections then a Battlefield Tour which follows the same tried & tested formula as the rest of the series of a timed & measured itinerary with historic & anecdotal information at each stop. A detailed Sketch Map showing battle lines & each stop on the route accompanies every battle using the same colour code (of yellow for memorials, violet for cemeteries, blue for museums) as the larger Holts' Battle Maps. Together the two books MAJOR & MRS HOLT'S Concise, Illustrated BATTLEFIELD GUIDE TO THE WESTERN FRONT- SOUTH & NORTH will form the most comprehensive & detailed English-language guides to the WW1 Western Front ever produced.NEW, FULLY UPDATED EDITION ...

The guide gives detailed information on how to make your own forecast & covers every aspect of weather forecasting, from what causes the weather to information on recognizing clouds. Details of weather systems, depressions, anticyclones & hurricanes are included, plus information on the extreme weather that has so dominated the news in recent years. Local weather, such as wind systems, visibility, frost & snow, is featured along with optical effects such as rainbows, haloes & mirages. The full range of forecasting is explored, from professional forecasts & charts to satellite images & weather watching
- including instruments you might use at home. The book features numerous colour photos & diagrams & is ideal for the amateur forecaster.
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Philip's Guide to Wild Flowers of Britain & Northern Europe begins with a valuable introduction to wild flowers, with detailed text & artwork on structure, reproduction, life cycles, & helpful information on how best to approach finding & identifying wild flowers in the field. An illustrated key uses basic anatomical characteristics to aid identification of individual plants or family groups of plants. Having identified the individual or group, the reader is taken to the appropriate pages where further identification notes & full-colour illustrations indicate one specific species description. Each species description emphasizes the differences between closely related or similar-looking species, with the key features highlighted where appropriate. In addition, each description is formatted in a standardized way to make it easier to find facts & compare species. As well as comprising straightforward anatomical information on leaf shape, height, flower, colour, etc, there is also information on distribution, abundance & flowering time of each species. If the species occurs in Britain & Irel&, more specific localized information is provided. Accompanying each species description is a detailed colour artwork, annotated with key distinguishing features that will help the reader make a correct identification. To further aid identification, there are nearly 500 distribution maps showing the distribution of those species not usually found throughout the region. ...

Discover the beauty of the Wiltshire countryside with this guide to some of the best walks in the area. There are 20 circular routes here, varying in length from 21/2 to 61/2 miles, all of which take in welcoming pubs renowned for their excellent food. Explore some of Britain`s most famous prehistoric remains such as the vast stone circles at Stonehenge & Avebury; West Kennett with its famed long barrow; & above Bratton & Westbury a white horse gleaming on the chalk hillside. There are also many stunning villages & towns to enjoy, such as Castle Combe & Bradford on Avon, all carved from the glorious local bedrock. Add the great landed estates at Longleat & Stourhead, as well as the upper reaches of the Thames at Cricklade & the glorious hanging valleys on Cranborne Chase & you have as delightful a series of landscapes as you could wish to experience. All the walks include details of:* How to get to the start & where to park* Numbered route map & directions* Recommended local pubs & cafes * Points of interest along the way* Places to visit nearby Nigel Vile is the author of many popular walking guides, including Bristol & Bath
- A Dog Walker`s Guide & Kiddiwalks in Wiltshire.
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