As a former geology student and general lover of all things fossilized I was delighted to read Trilobite! Eyewitness to Evolution by eminent palaeontologist Richard Fortey. The book, written in 2000, is a charming account of evolution examined from the point of view of humble trilobites, an extinct group of sea-dwelling arthropods that thrived successfully for 300 million years. I’d bet that anyone who has ever been to a natural history museum will have encountered recreations of these creatures, which to most people probably resemble giant woodlice.
By looking at aspects of trilobite life and morphology, gleaned from fossil evidence across the planet, the reader is treated to an adventure into how facets of evolution make a successful species, and how adaptations made hundreds of millions of years ago continue to echo into the present day. The book also serves as a lesson about what makes good geological investigation and how it contributes to a broader scientific understanding of our lovely planet and its history.
If you read this book and don’t learn something new, then you’re really not paying enough attention! It’s not a stuffy book on science that the layman will never get to grips with, but an attempt (a successful one in my view) to interest regular readers in the complex subject of evolution by examining one of the most successful animal groups in history. It’s almost as if the author gives these creatures a little personality, a character that encourages the reader to want to find out more about their lives.
Fortey’s passion is evident throughout. He is a rare treasure; a scientist who knows how to weave an engaging and, at times, humorous narrative to keep the reader interested in what could be an otherwise dry topic. The book also serves as something of a memoir, with Fortey sharing stories of his experiences as a trilobitologist working around the globe. It would surely encourage any aspiring paleontologist to pursue their goals.
There are some really beautiful passages in the book, which are testament to Fortey’s skill as an author. I really loved the beginning of the chapter on eyes where he imagines what the world would be like if sight had never evolved. Or his vivid descriptions of his joyous childhood interest in fossil hunting, which led him to such an illustrious career.
Palaeontology, like all scientific fields, is constantly changing, and I’ve no doubt that some of the information in this book is now a little outdated. Even within the book Fortey alludes to discoveries being made as he writes. But overall it’s a delightful read and I’d recommend it to anyone who has an interest in science more broadly, and in geology in particular.
Image: Elrathia kingii growth series with specimens from 16.2mm to 39.8mm. From Wikimedia Commons. By John Alan Elson – http://www.3dham.com/3dtribcol/