Treasures in the Past
Like their smaller cousins, these trilobites are extinct arthropods whose great diversity came to an end 250 million years ago.
Many forms had fantastic compound eyes similar to those in today's insects. Some trilobites were blind, probably living too deep in the sea for light to reach them, but well-equipped with antennae that perhaps were used for taste and smell.
These complete and slightly larger samples are called Metacantina. They were collected from 400 million year old fossil beds in Morocco, and display well-preserved examples of the trilobite compound eye.
Each trilobite averages 2" in length and is preserved in matrix averaging 3" x 3". An acrylic display stand is included.