The Natural History Museum – förlag

An instant bestseller in 1859, few books have had such a revolutionary impact and left such a lasting impression as On the Origin of Species. Possibly the most important and challenging scientific book ever published, Darwin's language remainssurprisingly modern and direct and is presented here in a faithful facsimile edition. The text is taken from the second edition (1860), which is the same as the first except for some minor corrections and so is the purest distillation of Darwin's original vision. It includes a new foreword by David Williams, Researcher at the Natural History Museum,and the introductoryappendix, An Historical Sketch of the Recent Progress of Opinion on the Origin, which first appeared in the third edition (1861). As such it is an ideal scholarly resource as well an attractive and excellent value edition for the general reader.

This update to the bestselling 50 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year features 20 stunning new images which have come from the last 5 years of the competition. They showcase the advances that continue to be made in approach and technique.Featuring many of the greatest nature photographs of all time, this book charts the development of nature photography, from the first hand-held cameras and the colour film revolution of the 1960s, to the increasingly sophisticated photographs of wild animals and unexplored places that are taken today. The prize-winning images include ground-breaking portraits, breathtaking aerial shots, underwater photography, close-up imagery and much more. They are accompanied by captions that put the photographs in context, explaining their importance, and revealing the vision, talent, passion and technique of the world’s leading wildlife photographers. All those who are passionate about photography and who have followed this compelling competition since its inception 55 years ago will treasure this magnificent volume.

The fully revised 3rd edition of this state-of-the-art guide to dinosaur biology. From the Victorian golden age of dinosaur discovery to the cutting edge of twenty-first century fossil forensics Dinosaurs unravels the mysteries of the most spectacular group of animals our planet has ever seen. Despite facing drastic climatic conditions including violent volcanic activity, searing temperatures and rising and plunging sea levels, the dinosaurs formed an evolutionary dynasty that ruled the Earth for more than 150 million years. Darren Naish and Paul Barrett reveal the latest scientific findings about dinosaur anatomy, behaviour, and evolution. They also demonstrate how dinosaurs survived the greatextinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period and continued to evolve and thrive alongside us, existing today as an incredibly diverse array of birds that are the direct descendants of theropods. Dinosaurs is lavishly illustrated with specimens from the Natural History Museum's own collections, along with explanatory diagrams and charts and full-colour artistic reconstructions of dinosaur behaviour.

First published in 1814, Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a taxonomic guide to colour which been cherished by naturalists and anthropologists for over two centuries.In the late 1790's Abraham Gottlob Werner devised his own standardised colour scheme, which allowed the writer to describe even the subtlest of chromatic differences with consistent terminology. His scheme was then adapted by an Edinburgh flower painter, Patrick Syme, who traced the actual minerals described by Werner, and used them to create the colour charts found in the book. In the pre-photographic age, almost all visual details had to be captured using the written word, and scientific observers could not afford any ambiguity in their descriptions. These included Charles Darwin, for whom Werner's Nomenclature was an indispensable tool during his seminal voyage on the Beagle.Werner's Nomenclature of Colours is a charming artefact from the age of explorers, which continues to be treasured by artists and scientists alike.

First published in 1814, Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours is a taxonomic guide to colour which been cherished by naturalists and anthropologists for over two centuries – not least by Charles Darwin who found it an indispensable tool during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. Now these charming, handmade colour swatches have been recreated as a box of 50 postcards. Each card reproduces a colour swatch alongside its original poetic description and is matched with an animal, plant, and mineral example according to Werner's unique scheme. These curious keepsakes will be treasured by artists and scientists alike.

In the Mesozoic Era, while dinosaurs roamed on land, giant carnivorous reptiles ruled the seas. These enormous underwater creatures have enthralled the public imagination since Mary Anning discovered spectacular reptile skeletons on Dorset’s ‘Jurassic Coast’ in the early 1800s.Join palaeontologist Darren Naish on a tour of these incredible animals, ranging from shark-shaped ichthyosaurs and long-necked plesiosaurs to gigantic, predatory mosasaurs. Occupying roles similar to those of modern sharks, seals and whales, they filled the ancient oceans for a period of 180 million years. Naish charts the evolutionary rise of the ancient sea reptiles and their domination of the Mesozoic Seas. He reveals how these reptiles moved in water, the anatomical advantages of their soft tissue, skin and blubber, how their jaws were specialized for aquatic prey, and the sensory organs that enabled them to see, smell or hear underwater. Later chapters focus on each of the major lineages: the shark-shaped ichthyosaurs, the long-necked plesiosaurs; the crocodilelike thalattosuchians, the fast-swimming mosasaurs, and the first sea turtles.The book is richly illustrated with photographs of striking specimens and artistic reconstructions which bring these giants of the sea to life.

Moths is an accessible introduction to the stunning diversity, life habits and evolution of moths. This insect group encompasses 128 of the 135 families of the scaly winged insects (Lepidoptera), with some 140,000 known species. Moths are among the most successful of the Earth's inhabitants, with an ancient history, some fossils being dated to 190 million years old. This book traces the structure and development of these winged insects and reveals some of their extraordinary adaptations, such as caterpillars that communicate with ants, as well as ruthless survival tactics - including blood-sucking, feeding on the tears of sleeping birds, and cannibalism of their own mothers. It also exposes their essential roles in ecosystems and manifold interactions with humans. Often considered denizens of the night, hopelessly allured by light and voracious destroyers of clothes, the book shines a spotlight on moths, illuminating the bright side of their astonishing diversity.

This most memorable and surprising collection of wildlife imagery reveals the beauty and drama of the natural world, as well as the incredible stories behind the photographs. It showcases all 100 pictures awarded in the 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and contains a huge variety of subjects and styles. Chosen by an international jury from 50,000 submissions, the collection represents the work of photographers from across 27 countries, with images that range from tiny living gems to dramatic and sometimes disturbing vistas. Highlights include unforgettable images of animal behaviour, extraordinary underwater scenes and reportage of our complex relationship with the natural world. Among the most imaginative pictures are those taken by young photographers, from Israel to India, to China and New Zealand. Every image is accompanied by a description of the behaviour on display, the biology involved and the ethical and conservation issues relevant to each of these remarkable scenes.

Our Human Story is a guide to our fossil relatives, from what may be the earliest hominins such as Sahelanthropus, dating back six to seven million years, through to our own species, Homo sapiens. Over the past 25 years there has been an explosion of species' names in the story of human evolution, due both to new discoveries and to a growing understanding of the diversity that existed in the past. Drawing on this new information, as well as their own considerable expertise and practical experience, Louise Humphrey and Chris Stringer explain in clear and accessible terms what each of the key species represents and how it contributes to our knowledge of human evolution.

Theropod dinosaurs ruled the planet for millions of years, with species ranging from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex to feathered raptors no bigger than turkeys. The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: The Theropods is a stunningly illustrated guide packed with everything you could ever wish to know about theropods. This one-of-a-kind compendium features more than 3,000 records, covers some 750 theropod species, and includes a wealth of illustrations ranging from diagrams and technical drawings to full-colour reconstructions of specimens. The book is divided into sections that put numerous amazing theropod facts at your fingertips. 'Comparing Species' reveals detailed size comparisons, how long ago they lived, and when they were discovered. 'Mesozoic Calendar' shows the positions of the continents at different geological time periods and reconstructions of creatures from each period. 'Prehistoric Puzzle' compares bones, teeth, and feathers while 'Theropod Life' uses vivid, user-friendly graphics to answer questions such as which dinosaur was the smartest and which had the most powerful bite. Other sections chart theropod distribution on the contemporary world map, provide comprehensive illustrated listings of footprints, compile the physical specifications of all known theropods and Mesozoic birds, and much more.

A Little Gay Natural History is a celebration of the astonishing diversity of sexual behaviour, biology and reproduction found in nature. From penguins to primates, same-sex behaviours and courtship are more widespread in the natural world than many people realize, while how nature organises sex is not always as straightforward as usually thought. Davis considers how, in many different organisms - both animals and plants - sexual reproduction and determination rely on a surprisingly complex interaction between genes, hormones, environment and chance. We meet turtles whose sex is determined by the incubation temperature of their eggs and butterflies that embody male and female biological tissue in the same organism.He also reveals animal and plant behaviours in nature that have previously either been covered up or explained away, and presents animal behaviours that challenge us to rethink our assumptions and prejudices.

This spectacular pop-up book will delight dinosaur fans youngand old.Each imaginative double-page spread brings iconic creaturessuch as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops to life, beforeculminating with a jaw-dropping volcanic explosion.Alongside its ingenious 3D artwork, Pop-up Dinosaurs! isfilled with bite-size information about these Mesozoic monsters and theirenvironment, making this a hugely enjoyable first book about the age ofdinosaurs.

Born into what was one of the wealthiest families in the world, "Walter Rothschild" became the best known zoologist of his day - and one of Britain's great eccentrics. A benign and enigmatic figure with a boundless enthusiasm for nature, he amassed the largest accumulation of zoological specimens ever collected by one man, establishing his own private Museum in 1892, now the Natural History Museum at Tring.Walter's extraordinary life traversed the fields of politics and finance, as well as zoology, and was packed with both achievement and incident. From his involvement with the Balfour Declaration to his prodigious personal scientific output, Walter's life was anything but commonplace. He went up to Cambridge accompanied by a flock of kiwi, drove a team of zebra down Piccadilly and into the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, and was a victim of blackmail for many years. With the help of evocative photographs Miriam Rothschild has produced a compelling narrative which, while demonstrating her personal admiration and affection for her uncle, does not shy away from the complexities and conflicts this remarkable man faced during his life.

In The Voyage of the Beagle Charles Darwin chronicles the landmark expedition which would forever alter the course of scientific thought. First published in 1839, The Voyage of HMS Beagle remains a foundational text in the fields of biology, geology, and anthropology, inspiring subsequent generations of scientists and scholars.And his descriptions of the diverse flora, fauna, and geological formations he encountered laid the groundwork for his revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection.This facsimile edition has been reproduced from a copy of the generously illustrated 1891 edition held by the Library of the Natural History Museum, which includes Darwin’s preface to 1845 second edition. Darwin’s account is structured as a detailed travelogue, cataloguing his observations, discoveries, and reflections during his travels, which encompass South America, the Galápagos Islands, Australia, and beyond.

Enter a hidden world of snail killers, silly names and crazy sex in The Secret Life of Flies. Entomolologist Erica McAlister dispels many common misconceptions and reveals how truly amazing, exotic and important these creatures really are.From hungry herbivores and precocious pollinators to robberflies, danceflies and the much maligned mosquito, McAlister describes the different types of fly, their unique and often unusual characteristics, and the unpredictable nature of their daily life. She travels from the drawers of wonder at the Natural History Museum, to piles of poo in Ethiopia, via underground caves, smelly latrines and the English country garden. She discovers flies without wings, rotating genitalia and the terrible hairy fly, while pausing along the way to consider today's key issues of conservation, taxonomy, forensic entomology and climate change. Combining her deep knowledge and love of flies with a wonderful knack for storytelling, Erica McAlister allows us topeer - amazed and captivated - into the secret life of flies.

Gemstones have been a source of fascination for Millenia, from the icy brilliance of diamond and the soft iridescence of pearl, to the deep red garnets treasured by ancient Egyptians and Victorians alike. They are used for their natural beauty in jewellery, worn for protection as talismans, associated with romance and power. They are also of scientific importance, forming over billions of years and containing secrets to the inner earth. This book examines the world's most commonly encountered gemstones, exploring their unique beauty, rarity, and durability. It reveals how these gem materials formed, where they are mined, how they are identified by their physical and optical properties, their enhancements and imitations. Travelling through each gem's history and use in adornment, it is filled with fascinating facts for the curious to the professional. With sumptuous colour photographs, Gemstones is a dazzling insight into the world of the rare and valuable.

This charming book revolves around the two journals Bates produced during his groundbreaking travels in the Amazon, and his classic work The Naturalist on the River Amazons. Alongside specially selected excerpts from his book are facsimile reproductions of the pages from his journals demonstrating his talents as an artist as well as a scientist. Bates, a trusted companion of Alfred Russel Wallace, travelled with him to the Amazon in 1848. There he became fascinated by close similarities in appearance between unrelated butterflies. He found that so-called tasty species - those that are sought after by predators - had evolved to look like toxic species to escape being attacked. This idea became known as Batesian mimicry. Bates spent a total of 11 years in the Amazon, exploring the vast network of largely unvisited major rivers and their tributaries, set in the world's largest area of tropical rain forest in South America. By the time he returned to England in 1859, still only 34 years old, Bates had collected, by his own estimate, some 712 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes and molluscs, and about 14,000 species of insects, of which no less than 8,000 were previously unknown.

Featuring over 240 images, with 20 from the last five years, this sumptuous edition presents many of the greatest nature photographs of all time. It charts the development of nature photography from the first hand-held cameras and the colour-film revolution of the 1960s to the increasingly sophisticated photographs of wild animals, plants and unexplored places that are taken today. Technological innovations introduced in the last decade include automatic focusing and fast burst rates, which are ideal for capturing motion, as well as aerial drone photography and macro probe lenses, which allow for photography at the largest and smallest scales. An incredible variety of styles, skills and approaches are on show, reflecting the great advances in technology and the many and varied ways of viewing and interpreting the natural world. Prize-winning pictures on display include groundbreaking portraits, breathtaking aerial shots, other-worldly underwater imagery, revelatory close-up exposures and much more.

This commemorative portfolio displays all the 100 picturesawarded in the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, togetherwith the stories of what they reveal and how they were created. Representing the work of photographers worldwide, theyillustrate both the beauty and drama of the natural world and our conflictedrelationship with it.Chosen by an international panel of judges from nearly60,000 entries, the images are the work of photographers from dozens ofcountries and represent a worldwide range of styles and ways of seeing nature.You will find a rich variety of subjects, from wild regions,remarkable behaviour and portraits of creatures you may never have seen before,to reportage of vitally important ethical and environmental issues. Addingdepth are the background stories – not just about how the pictures were madeand the equipment used but also information about the subjects and why thephotographers chose them.

The sauropods form one of the three great dinosaur groups. The sauropod dinosaurs roamed the planet for millions of years, with creatures ranging from the smallest of the sauropods, Magyarosaurus, to the huge Brachiosaurus. This one-of-a-kind compendium covers all known sauropod species and features more than 2,000 diagrams and technical drawings alongside hundreds of full-colour reconstructions of specimens. The book is divided into sections that make it easy to navigate the amazing world of sauropods. 'Comparing Species' is organized by taxonomic group and gives comparisons of the size of species, how long ago they lived, and when they were discovered. 'Mesozoic Calendar' shows the positions of the continents at different geological time periods. 'Prehistoric Puzzle' compares bones, teeth, and feathers while 'Sauropod Life' answers questions such as what did they eat and which was the most intelligent.

These arethe unforgettable highlights from the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Yearcompetition, the most famous and prestigious event of its kind in theworld. Drawnannually from around 40,000 entries from scores of countries, it provides bothan inspiring annual catalogue of the wonders of nature and a thought-provokinglook at our complex relationship with the natural world. This book includeseach of the category winners and incorporates all aspects of wildlifephotography, from animal portraits to Earth's environments. For each photographthere is a caption that reveals the memorable story behind the picture and, forsome, members of the international jury share their insightful thoughts. Twenty fivestriking photographs from the competition's People's Choice vote are alsoincluded.

This powerful collection features the 100 winning images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016 competition. They represent the skill and talent of photographers from around the planet and the many different ways of portraying the beauty, drama and diversity of the natural world. The photographs were chosen by an international jury for their artistic merit and originality, mindful of the high ethical standards that the competition champions. The final 100, representing 22 nationalities, were selected from more than 42,000 entries from 96 countries. The book includes images of unforgettable behaviour, wild and dramatic landscapes and thought-provoking reportage. This memorable book also tells the often memorable stories behind the pictures and serves as a reminder of the truly glorious nature of life on Earth.

An introduction to the study of fossils, from expert Paul Taylor, with original specimens drawn from the collections of the Natural History Museum.

This beautiful box set is drawn from the unrivalled collection of images at the Natural History Museum, London. It includes exquisitely crafted works from some of the most famous natural history artists ever published including Audubon, Gould, MacGillivray and Bauer. They are complemented by Jonathan Elphick's detailed text, which interweaves ornithological science, art history, biography and travel to create a vivid picture of the lives of both the artists and the birds they painted. Jonathan Elphick's book is accompanied by 36 stunning frameable prints (333 x 260 mm), pictured below, which have been reproduced directly from the original artworks held by the Museum.

Jonathan Elphick tells the remarkable story of the development of bird art through the centuries. The book features early, skilfully executed but often fanciful images of birds, scientific illustrations produced during the ages of exploration, and modern approaches capturing the essence of these freest of all creatures. This reduced size edition is chunky yet portable, and retains the lavish finish of the original gift book. The outstanding selection of images from the unrivalled collection at the Natural History Museum includes exquisitely crafted works from some of the most famous bird artists ever published including Audubon, Lear,MacGillivray and Gould.

Whether loathed, feared, admired or worshipped, snakes evoke stronger human reactions than almost any other animal. Moving gracefully without limbs, swallowing meals often several times larger than their own heads, and with many having venomous bites, they never fail to fascinate. From garter snakes and vipers to cobras, boas and pythons, Snakes describes the biology and natural history of this ecologically diverse and important group of animals. It highlights the amazing variety and complexity of this group that includes more than four thousand living species. Information on habitat, conservation status, and behaviour are also included to complete this comprehensive and fully illustrated introduction to the snakes of the world.

When did the first humans arrive in Britain? Where did they come from? And what did they look like? This is the amazing story of human life in Britain. It begins nearly one million years ago, during the earliest known human occupation, and reveals how humans have periodically lived there ever since. Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story takes readers on an incredible journey through ancient Britain. Drawing on a wealth of evidence from archaeological sites, it reveals which human species lived in Britain during multiple waves of occupation. It describes who they were, what their habitats were like, which animals shared their landscape, and what they did to survive, from the first use of fire to specialised hunting. It shows how Britain's human occupants changed, adapting and often succumbing to dramatically changing climate and landscapes. The story is told by Rob Dinnis and Chris Stringer, two scientists at the forefront of research into our ancient ancestors. Together they describe the discoveries, the key fossil specimens and the science behind these remarkable findings.Written in a lively and engaging style, and fully illustrated with maps, diagrams and photographs, Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story is an invaluable guide to our early human relatives.The book is based on the ground-breaking work of the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain project and is published to tie in with a major new exhibition opening at the Natural History Museum in February 2014.

This is a newly revised edition of the Natural History Museum's classic introduction to the processes and products of change to the Earth's surface. It explains in accessible language how the planet is being constantly remodelled by powerful natural forces and guides us through geological time and space to recreate past landscapes. With photographs, diagrams and maps, this timely book has also been updated with all the latest information about the human impact on climate change and considers the challenge of predicting the future.