This is a practical & authoritative guide to identifying minerals rocks & fossils. It is an invaluable handbook for amateur collectors & specialists alike small & compact enough to carry in the pocket or rucksack. The illustrations in this revised edition have been enhanced to give a truer representation of the colours found in nature. A best-seller in its field since 1974 when it was first published the 1998 edition has been completely revised & updated with br&-new extended introductory sections & appendices. The book has also been completely redesigned to bring it into the 1990s & make it more user friendly. Around 145 colour plates show typical mineral rock & fossils specimens. The plates were photographed from the Natural History Museums incredible collection. Over 100 specially commissioned line drawings illustrate the authoritative descriptions of the specimens. The 1998 edition has been updated & revised by two of the original authors (Dr Woolley & Dr Bishop) plus an expert in fossils all from the world-class Natural History Museum in London.