Natural History - Crystal Nodule

A large sample displaying dark moss-green, dark emerald-green and light green colours, collection number 376. 1.17 kg, 15.4 cm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Accompanied by an original historic index file card.

A large Charonosaurus sp. hadrosaur egg retaining evidence of the original leathery surface. 3.4 kg, 16 cm



Acquired 1983-1990. Private collection, Hove, UK.

Hadrosaurs were large dinosaurs, growing up to 10 metres in length, belonging to the ‘Duck-Billed’ group of dinosaurs. They are considered the ‘herd animal’ of the Cretaceous, having been found buried together in their thousands. Dinosaur egg fossils are known from approximately two-hundred sites around the word, particularly in Asia. This nest comes from the Xixia Formation, Henan region of China, which produces some of the best preserved eggs in the world. These eggs can yield entire embryos within them, making them an essential tool for understanding the biology of these creatures.

Comprising: muscovite, collection number 307; brown calcite from Brazil, collection number 56; asbestos from South Africa, collection number 290; manganese nodule from equatorial Atlantic, off Sierra Leone, West Africa, collection number 232; a cut and polished agate slice from Brazil, collection number 213; cerussite from Harz Mountains, West Germany, collection number 521, with a previous collector's number label 594; muscovite, collection number 292; sulphur on amorphoussilica from Italy, collection number 482; a cut and polished slice of crazy laced agate from Brazil, collection number 368. 1.2 kg total, 5.4-13.2 cm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Seven specimens accompanied by an original historic index file card.