NATURAL HISTORY FROM A TO Z
A Terrestrial Sampler
by Tim Arnold & illustrated by Tim Arnold
Plants and animals are presented alphabetically here to illustrate concepts and principles of biology, from anteaters and aardvarks used as examples of convergent evolution to zebra finches, which build elaborate nests. Sometimes the alphabetical arrangement requires a stretch, as in M for mammal-like reptile. The text can be highly technical: U for ungulates introduces scientific classification by describing the differences between the order Perissodactyla and the order Artiodactyla, the former including the families of Equidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Tapiridae. Among Perissodactyla, ``All mammals are descended from five-toed ancestors, but in the horse family only the central toe (or digit) remains, encased by the hard hoof (see E)''—hard going for the novice. Many small illustrations appear on every page, some in color; while handsome, they lack scale, which limits use. An intriguing idea, imperfectly realized. Index. (Nonfiction. 10-12)*justify no*