This exciting new textbook examines the concepts of evolution as the underlying cause of the rich diversity of life on earth-and our danger of losing that rich diversity. Written as a college textbook, The Diversity and Evolution of Plants introduces the great variety of life during past ages, manifested by the fossil record, using a new natural classification system. It begins in the Proterozoic Era, when bacteria and bluegreen algae first appeared, and continues through the explosions of new marine forms in the Helikian and Hadrynian Periods, land plants in the Devonian, and flowering...

This book is complete for use as a college course, and yet simple to be used by the ordinary lay person to recognize the common edible and poisonous mushrooms with confidence after reading this book by a college biology professor. Of special importance is the identifcation of what is termed "the Foolproof Four and a chapter on the "Fatal Five." Seven safety rules are among the guidelines given. Detailed descriptions and illustrations for over 300 sapecies and delicious recipes.