Dinosaurs, with Special Reference to the American Museum Collections

"Dinosaurs, with Special Reference to the American Museum Collections" by William Diller Matthew is a scientific overview of dinosaurs, concentrating on the fossils and displays at the American Museum of Natural History. It journeys into how dinosaurs are categorized, what made them unique, and why they matter in history, painting a picture of their lives and habitats in the Mesozoic Era. Beginning with an introduction to paleontology and the massive time spans involved in studying fossils, the book considers prehistoric life and the important evolution that occurred during the Age of Reptiles, highlighting differences between species over vast periods. The author lays out the organization of the book, mentioning upcoming chapters about North America's geology during the dinosaur age, the wide variety of dinosaurs and how they are organized, and specifics about dinosaur types and their environments to prepare a detailed look at the captivating world of dinosaurs, blending science with stories from museum exhibits.