Guide to the natural history of the Niagara region. 1991.illustr.447 p.gr8vo.Paper bd.

This volume, a combination natural history guide and biology text,begins with maps and a brief discussion of conservation areas in theNiagara Peninsula of southwestern Ontario. Then 26 chapters of variablescope and depth follow and range from the geology of the region to ahalf-page on gastrotrichs. This book gives approximately 90 pages tothe ecology, invertebrate paleontology, and archaeology of the Niagararegion, with enough illustratyions, maps and stratigraphic sectionsto serve the reader as a good field guide. There is no mention,however, of the vertebrate fossils that have been found in thepeninsula, including for example, several skeletons of the Americanmastodon. As a whole, the biological chapters are highly variable incontent. Some have keys, most have descriptions, a few have regionalchecklists or are tailored to the fauna and flora of the region. Useful treatments include chapters on mammals, birds, amphibians andreptiles, fish, protozoa, mollusks, insects (at 76 pages, the longestchapter), ferns, vascular plants, and trees. The maps and illustrationsby Cathy Wesol are excellent and informative.