Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Reptiles of California

California has produced a rich trove of Mesozoic fossils: dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and especially, since most of the state was submerged under water during the Mesozoic Era, marine reptiles. Hilton, a professor of geology at California's Sierra College, presents a comprehensive guide to these remains, and a history of those who discovered them, going back to the 1890s. (One of the highlights is his account of Allan Bennison's discovery of the vertebrae and leg bones of a hadrosaur in 1936, when Bennison was only 17 years old.) Hilton explains the role of California's active geology (many fossils are exposed by earthquakes) and dinosaur taxonomy as an introduction. Then, he discusses each species of dinosaur and reptile: how and where it lived, and its physical characteristics. These explanations are beautifully illustrated by Kirkland, who provides detailed drawings of skulls and entire skeletons, as well as imaginative reconstructions of how dinosaurs may have appeared when they walked the earth. This handsome volume will delight any dinosaurophile. 97 color illus., 102 b&w photos, 91 line illus., 1 table.