Natural History - Large British Fossil Nautiloid

Knightia alta specimen on a rectangular matrix. 200 grams, 11.7 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. Acquired during 1980s. From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

With dense clusters of stubby prismatic crystals. 125 grams, 57 mm



From Cornwall, UK. Collected in person from various parts of the world mainly between 1957-1966. From the private mineral collection of Stephen Atkinson, Harpenden, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the vendor giving details of him collecting these minerals throughout his life.

Pebble like black specimens, each in a labelled specimen tray. 330 grams total, 29-47 mm



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