Natural History - Kalahari Desert Wind Stone Group [3]

Beautifully preserved Daira speciosa crab on a matrix showing the distinctive surface granulation of the shell; partial shell of another specimen visible on the lower part of the matrix. 114 grams, 70 mm



From Spain. From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

The genus is easily recognised by the extreme pustulose nature of the carapace and claws.

Comprising: rhododendrite, quartz, amethyst, pyrite, jasper, Icelandic spar, agate, calcite, and others. 564 grams total, 14-60 mm



Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

A large section of Charonosaurus sp. hadrosaur egg nest on matrix, including three eggs each retaining some of the original shell surface. 17.3 kg, 43 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Dinosaur eggs are known from about 200 sites around the world, the majority in Asia and mostly in terrestrial (non-marine) rocks of the Cretaceous Period. It may be that thick calcite eggshells evolved during the Cretaceous (145 to 65 million years ago). Most dinosaur eggs have one of two forms of eggshell that are distinct from the shells of related modern animal groups, such as turtles or birds; however, some eggs closely resemble the type of shells seen in present day ostrich eggs.