Palaeobiology of Angiosperm Origins: Problems of Mesozoic Seed-Plant Evolution. (Cambridge Earth Science Series)

HUGHES, Norman F.

ISBN 10: 0521208092 / ISBN 13: 9780521208093

Published by Cambridge University Press (Cambridge Earth Science Series) 1st edn, 1976

About this Item

242p, many figures in the text, a very good hardback in a very good dust-jacket, ex-library [0521208092].

Seller Inventory # 62303

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Palaeobiology of Angiosperm Origins: Problems of Mesozoic Seed-Plant Evolution. (Cambridge Earth Science Series)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (Cambridge Earth Science Series) 1st edn
• Publication Date: 1976
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521208092
• ISBN 13: 9780521208093
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

The evolutionary origin and early history of the angiosperms (or flowering plants), which are the dominant land plants today, has remained an unsolved problem since the time of Darwin. It has been referred to since those days as an 'abominable mystery', because neither direct ancestor nor an agreed date could be determined. Mr Hughes argues that previous approaches, mostly through botanical theory, have been inadequate and misleading. He suggests that the date is about 110 million years ago (in the Cretaceous period) and there is a good chance of ancestors being found if the correct approach is adopted to the study of other fossil plants of that period. Moreover, the study of plant microfossils in the past twenty years has made feasible a fuller geological study of other fossils. When this book was first published in 1976, several reviewers saw it as a timely book on a controversial subject.

Book Description

Mr Hughes argues that approaches (previous to 1976) to the evolutionary origin and early history of or flowering plants have been inadequate and misleading. He suggests that the date is in the Cretaceous period and there is a good chance of ancestors being found if other fossil plants of that period are studied.