INTRODUCTION 7 



For a general background in physical geology, you might like to read a good elementary 

 text, such as Longwell and Flint (1955). You may also want a text on elementary historical 

 geology, such as R. C. Moore (1949), CO. Dunbar (1949), or R. C. Hussey (1944). Two texts 

 that cover physical and historical geology in one book can be recommended; the "Yale 

 Outlines" a condensation of Longwell and Flint, and Dunbar, or von Engeln and Caster (1952). 

 The Boy Scouts of America Geology Merit Badge book (Cooper et al. , 1953) is also useful. 



A general text in paleontology, more detailed than this one and dealing especially with 

 New York State, is Goldring (1929). You can choose one or more of the following elementary 

 paleontology texts: Shrock and Twenhofel (1953) or Moore, Lalicker, and Fischer (1952), both 

 rather expensive ($12. 00) but very detailed. Perhaps at first all you will need will be Twenhofel 

 and Shrock (1935) which is less expensive but out of date for certain groups of invertebrates. 

 Shimer and Shrock (1944) is useful also but rather expensive. 



For fossil plants, the best text is Arnold (1947); Andrews (1947) and Walton (1953) 

 have good non-technical presentations. Janssen's (1939) "Leaves and Stems from Fossil 

 Forests" is still available from the Illinois State Museum. 



On vertebrates, the best text is Romer (1945) but Simpson (1953) "Life of the Past" is also 

 valuable. Romer (1941) is a somewhat less technical text. Colbert (1955) has just published 

 a new text on the evolution of the vertebrates which is excellent. 



