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.