Animals of the Past

Published in 1901, 'Animals of the Past' by Frederic Lucas provides an overview of extinct vertebrate animals known only from fossil records. The book explores various species, ranging from fish to mammals, and discusses the concept of extinction, which was not formally recognized until the late 18th century. Lucas's work is notable for its early contribution to the understanding of paleontology and comparative anatomy, fields that emerged as scientific disciplines around the time of its publication.