Bones: The Unity of Form and Function

Few objects in nature display the perfect unity of form and function found in the vertebrate skeleton. Ingeniously designed by the processes of evolution, bones are marvels of engineering. In tribute to both the beauty and mechanics of its subject, Bones explores the structure, material, and movement of bones. It examines the miraculous composition of bone material. It looks at the joints and muscle attachments that allow for movement, including such elaborate mechanisms as fish jaws, rattlesnake fangs, and a lion's retractable claws. It shows how the same bone is shaped to wildly differently ends in a variety of animals. A wealth of specially commissioned color plates shows bones as they have seldom been seen before. The luminous images range from the unusual (the skeleton of a pygmy flying squirrel) to the ordinary (the tailbones of a domestic cat), and from the enormous (the vertebra of a dinosaur) to the minuscule (the acoustic bones of a desert kangaroo rat). With its blend of lively science and unexpected beauty, Bones leaves readers with insight into the workings of the skeleton, and a sense of wonder at its intricacy. Elegantly designed and brimming with 140 luminous color photographs, Bones celebrates the form of bones and the way they function within the body. With its haunting and unforgettable images, the book will leave readers with a sense of great wonder regarding the skeleton's intricate complexities. Very nice clean, tight copy free of any marks. wrapped in complimentary Brodart dust jacket protector.