The Smithsonian Visual Encyclopedia of Nature

This is the authoritative reference curated by the Smithsonian Institution that catalogs more than 5,000 species of the world's flora, fauna and mineral riches. Specially commissioned photographs bring readers an up-close view of every classification in nature, from majestic beasts, to trees, bacteria and precious gems. Each full-color spread clusters similar subjects for easy comparison, such as the exquisite coloration of a purple-spotted swallowtail butterfly versus the intense iridescence of a Cramer's blue morpho. Each creature is identified by its Latin taxonomy, along with its dimensions and brief facts. The reference contains more than 5,500 photos, including numerous oversized shots that bring the viewer close enough to count the veil scales on a fly agaric mushroom or to marvel at the velvety sheen of a Cuban crocodile's eye. 648 pages 12" H x 10" W x 1 1/2" D. (7 lbs.)