Nature Books

The "Dictionary of Plant Names" is a must-have for anyone interested in botany or gardening. Not only does it provide the meanings and derivations of over 3500 plant names, but it also includes common name cross-references, geographical distribution, and name origins. At a bargain price, this comprehensive book is an essential tool for all plant enthusiasts.

"Discover the World of Dinosaurs" is a fact-packed guide that helps children learn about the extinct creatures. It covers topics such as dino fossils, how they hunted, and the different types of dinosaurs. With engaging illustrations and informative text, this book is perfect for young dinosaur enthusiasts who want to learn more about the fascinating world of these prehistoric beasts.

This book would be great for people who enjoy nature and travel writing. Lopez masterfully intertwines the history, ecology, and human experience of the Arctic landscape. Reading this book is like embarking on a journey to a far-off land, every page as captivating as the last. Lopez's prose is both poetic and informative, making this book a true gem for anyone seeking to learn more about the Arctic and its inhabitants.

Bring the many wonderful benefits of herbs into your life with this beautifully illustrated, accessible book on 88 herbs and their many purposes.Starting with Aloe Vera, used as a soothing agent for over 2,000 years, and ending with Yarrow, whose leaves can be added to salad and which was once called “soldier’s woundwart” because of its efficacy on the battlefield, The Book of Herbs reveals the secrets of a wide range of plants that can really enhance your life.Each page features color photographs of the plant itself in its many forms and is full of well-presented information on how to use it. There are sections covering each herb’s history, as well as its culinary uses, medical benefits (including special precautions), and household and cosmetic applications, such · Borage leaves in a face pack help moisturize dry skin.· Caraway seeds are a long-standing breath freshener.· Catmint makes a cleansing hair wash.· Lavender is a natural insect repellent, good to grow near the deck or porch.· Nettle can help skin problems.· Valerian can be used to help get rid of pests.Chock full of useful information that can help make every part of life more natural and organic, The Book of Herbs is an indispensable and easy-to-use reference that’s a must for every home.

10 years on from the first, groundbreaking, Planet Earth, we use the most incredible advances in technology and scientific discovery to bring you the most exciting and immersive picture of our world's wildlife yet.With over 250 breathtaking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, this is an extraordinary new look at the complex life of some of the most amazing places on Planet Earth.Each chapter reveals an environment – some never-before-seen, some astonishingly familiar – defined by a unique set of rules required for survival. From the most desolate desert to the depths of the jungle, from blistering heat and freezing cold to perpetual darkness and deadly UV, discover how a whole host of creatures have adapted to life in the most extreme conditions. And how they compete with one another to become the largest, the fastest, the most poisonous, or most devious - all in a bid to survive.Planet Earth II includes the first in-depth look at the urban environment, and the surprising range of behaviours occurring right under our noses, as well as some previously untouched island worlds. Filmed with remarkable 5k and infra-red technology, these are the challenges, the confrontations, and the triumphs of some of the most extraordinary creatures in the natural world, told from their perspective.This is our planet, as you have never seen it before.

This book is perfect for plant lovers seeking an extensive guide on nurturing indoor plants. The author comprehensively provides all the information one needs to know about plant care, from propagation and pruning to pest control. Users will appreciate the book's layout and detailed illustrations.

Excerpted from the Mineralogy is the science of minerals. To the uninitiated, mineralogy can appear to be a very complicated subject. Many of the disciplines that form its core, such as chemistry, crystallography, physics and mathematics, can constitute forbidding barriers to understanding this fascinating natural science. This book endeavors to eliminate such barriers and to accompany the reader seeking to enter the world of minerals. The primary goals of this introduction are to illustrate some of the principal properties of minerals, present the modern tools used in their study, describe the natural environments in which minerals are formed, and explain the criteria by which minerals are classified. The main section of this book is an illustrated guide to 288 mineral species, all of them illustrated with unique photographs taken by nature photographer Roberto Appiani. Special thanks go to Dr. Federico Pezzotta, Curator of Mineralogy and Petrography at the Museum of Natural History in Milan, Italy, who wrote the section of this introduction that deals with the environments in which minerals are formed. Minerals are crystalline substances that are found in their natural state. Minerals are familiar to everyone, as they compose the rocks and mountains around us, as well as the sand on our beaches and the soil in our gardens. Many of the products we use every day are composed of toothpaste, for example, contains microcrystals of mica, calcite and fluorite, while detergents contain such mineral additives as calcite, dolomite, clays and zeolites. Minerals are components of meteorites and planets, while gemstones are nothing more than rough fragments of crystals, unusually transparent or colorful, that have been cut to emphasize their brilliance and transparency. Minerals have always had great importance in our world; from the dawn of history, each step in mankind's development can be measured by the use of metals. Today, minerals are the principal elements of steel and special alloys, and are integral to electronic and communication devices; they ace also used in the space industry and in the manufacture of a great many everyday items. The science of mineralogy came into being in relatively recent times. In order to understand the scientific criteria that governs its principles, one needs to trace the most important steps along its path over the centuries. The oldest use of minerals is related to primitive humans used natural pigments, hematite reds and manganese oxide blacks, to paint the walls of the caves in which they lived. About 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians were making objects from precious metals, using such colored minerals as malachite, lazurite and the emerald variety of beryl. The first texts to deal with mineralogical subjects were those of the Greek Theophrastus, around 370 B.C., and Pliny the Elder 400 years later. With Historio Naturalis , Pliny describes the perfect geometric shapes of crystals, laying the basis for the science of mineralogy. However, it is the German physician and scientist Georgius Agricola who is considered the father of mineralogy. In De Re Metallica ("On Metals"), first printed in 1556, Agricola describes the mining practices of his day in great detail, especially the techniques for exploiting and refining minerals and the procedures involved in the use of fusion to extract metals. Modern crystallography, the study of the forms that compose crystals, was born between the second half of the 1600s and the end of the 1700s, thanks to the contributions of Nicholas Steno, Carangeot and Romé de l'Isle. In 1801, Abbé René-Just Haüy discovered that minerals are composed of countless "molecules" that exactly reproduce the shape of their crystals, anticipating important discoveries that would only be confirmed a century later. During the 19th century, numerous scientists investigated the chemistry of minerals, among them Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius, who established the princip1es of modern mineral classification. The beginning of the 20th century marks a fundamental step in the history of mineralogy, with the dlscovecy of the structure of minerals by German physicist Max von Laue in 1912. Experiments performed using X-rays proved for the first time that minerals are composed of atoms precisely arranged according to exact rules. In the early 1960s, electronic microprobe analysis made possible the study of the chemical composition of minerals, and in comparatively short periods of time, enabled accurate chemical analysis of mineral fragments of even the smallest size (down to 4/100,000 of an inch or 0.001 mm). In the early 1970s, another highly advanced instrument, the transmission electron microscope, went into common use in laboratories and universities (at least those able to afford its high cost). Capable of magnifying millions of times, this tool opened a new frontier in mineralogy, allowing the direct observation of the atoms and the structures that compose minerals.

Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of botanical painting. Suitable for artists of all levels, this book offers expert guidance and step-by-step studies to help readers develop their skills. Billy's playful yet accurate botanical portraits are a feast for the eyes, and her techniques for working with texture, pattern, and color are invaluable. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of botanical painting.

This book is a valuable resource for civil engineers and others involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of water treatment plants. It offers comprehensive guidance on designing treatment plant facilities, and covers recent developments in the field, including EPA standards, planning, operation, rehabilitation and maintenance.

Chek Jawa could be a good read for nature enthusiasts who are interested in Singapore's last remaining nature paradise and the effort to save it. The book provides a comprehensive account of the diverse marine life at Chek Jawa's beach, which is visible only at the lowest of tides. It also chronicles the public effort to reverse a government plan to redevelop Pulau Ubin. The book emphasizes the importance of persistent rallying and passion for Nature and serves as testimony to the beauty and biodiversity of Chek Jawa.

nonfiction

Packed with fantastic facts, illustrations, top tens, cross references, world records and detailed captions, this amazing book encompasses the breadth of life on our planet. Find out how plants are pollinated, why sharks are fierce predators, how many eggs a queen bee lays per day and why spiders spin webs.

This book would be a great read for anyone fascinated by the wonders of marine life. Its beautiful photographs and captivating captions transport you to the enchanting underwater world of Sulawesi. You'll be mesmerized by the vibrant colors and variety of marine species captured in stunning detail. Whether you're a marine biologist or simply a lover of nature, this book will leave you in awe of the delicate and captivating beauty of Sulawesi's seas.

If you've ever wondered how your feline friend managed to find a place not just in your home but in the hearts of millions worldwide, "The Lion in the Living Room" is a pursuit you'll find fascinating. Abigail Tucker takes you on a journey that's as much about natural history as it is about the socio-cultural impact of cats. This book promises a colorful trek through time, textures of science, and the quirkiness of cat mania—all served with a dash of humor. It's the purr-fect read for anyone curious about the silent paws treading powerfully through human history.

Every year Born Free helps hundreds of animals around the world. This is the story of one of their incredible rescues . . . Meet Bella, the lioness with a broken heart, and Simba, the captive king of the jungle. And learn how all animals that are born free should live free. Simba was born in a French zoo and was later bought by an animal trainer. For many years he lived in cramped captivity. When Bella was young, she was used as a photographer's prop and then later lived in a run-down zoo in Romania. Because she had been taken from her mother at such a young age and fed a poor diet, she sadly developed a weak spine and back legs. Luckily Born Free could come to the rescue. Now Simba and Bella both live in Malawi where they have become great companions. Join Born Free behind the scenes of one of their real life rescues.

Discover Nature's Treatment for ArthritisDid you know that there are natural treatments that may ease—or help you manage—the pain of arthritis? If you are one of the millions who suffer from chronic joint pain, this book can point the way to alternative treatments that may improve mobility and reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Inside you'll learn how glucosamine may help reduce arthritis symptoms, what natural treatments may slow the progression of osteoarthritis, which herbs and nutrients may help manage your arthritis, natural ways to improve mobility, and much more!Includes up-to-date information on arthritis ·Glucosamine·Chrondroitin·SAMe·Fish Oil·Devil's Claw·Boswellia·Bromelain·Turmeric·Boron·Capsaicin·Willow Bark·Vitamin C·Vitamin E·Ginger·Beta-Carotene·Pantothenic Acid·Selenium·And conventional medical treatmentsIt's all here in simple, straightforward language. You'll find yourself turning to this helpful, trusted companion again and again.