When we pick up a shell on the beach, we notice its beautiful shape or attractive colors, but how often do we consider what it tells us about the creature that made it, and the evolutionary journey that led to its particular characteristics? Dip into the intriguing world of shells with this beautifully illustrated collection of 75 weird and wonderful examples. Intricate structures shown in this beachcomber's guide range from the tapering whorls of a triangular nutmeg to the spectacular spines of the Venus Comb Murex, and from the spiral chambers of a nautilus to the frilly ribs of the wedding cake venus.