#Caen fossil

[rthstewart]

More Narnia Spare Oom AUs

So I’ve like actually written a lot of this.  But....  based on this lovely post by @athoughtfox and then @edmundjustking made the serious mistake of asking for me to elaborate and so I did , a little bit here .  But... I have opinions about this, OK?  And A LOT OF WORDS.   REALLY A LOT OF WORDS.

Digory – Professor at Oxford, professor of philosophy and theology, renowned expert on the Oxford Franciscans, the Blessed Duns Scotus, and Gerard Manly Hopkins.  Professor Kirke is trying to construct an elaborate theory of environmental stewardship and haecceity based upon his Narnia experience. An excellent theologian and a very bad Christian – he’s not been to church in over 30 years.  Ace.

Polly – Amateur zoologist and naturalist --- “maiden” aunt HA! Always accompanied by a dog, a cat, an umbrella and a carpet bag.  Drove an ambulance in France for the Red Cross in WW1 in France.  Drives an MG. World traveler.   Bisexual. Works at the Whipsnade Zoo and has a bad habit of always trying to curtsy in front of Peter.

Peter: Private, youngest member of Ox & Bucks 2d Battalion, D Company, Glider Corps (whose insignia is Bellerophon aboard Pegasus) and sees the first action on D-Day when his Horsa Glider crashes into the Caen Canal bridge (Normandy) (which becomes known as Pegasus Bridge). He’s wounded in hedgerow battles on the march to Paris, sent home to recover and (probably) never sees more action.  (Unless he joins Captain America’s Howling Commandos and cleans up Hydra nests in former occupied Europe).  Maybe ends up with T-Force, Ox & Bucks 1st Battalion, who are rounding up German scientists and high value targets and “persuading” them to come to England or America.  

After he’s demobbed, he enrolls at Oxford and starts an affair with a married woman.  He then drops out of Oxford as a dismal failure at the classics curriculum.  He comes into some money and finally gets Aslan’s message and begins rebuilding a country for a 3rd time -- he ends up working in construction and literally becomes a rock on which England is rebuilt, as a carpenter and bricklayer.  Ultimately he’s elected to Commons as the rep for Oxford-Cowley where his battles with Margaret Thatcher become legendary.  Bisexual, married, two children, 6 grandchildren. Knighted in 1992.  

 Susan:  Lying about her age and armed with forged identify papers, Susan begins running a spy through the British Embassy in Washington DC in the summer of 1942 to build support in the American Congress for the British war effort.  She leaves school in 1943 and enters SOE training.  She is deployed to Bénouville at a woman’s hospital to spy on the Nazi fortification of the Caen Canal which Peter’s Horsa glider crashed into on D-Day. Sometime thereafter, she is eventually able to return to England (and maybe hangs out with/has sex with Peggy Carter for a while in France on the road to Paris).  Eventually, she is recruited to MI6/SIS with her partner from Washington and they eventually marry where they built networks of spies throughout the Balkans that are blown and murdered by the Cambridge 5.  Her husband may die in Berlin in or around 1950 and/or she remarries.  One daughter; one grandchild.  COE Deaconess, international election observer, advocate for women’s pentathlon in the Olympics, always keeps wolfhounds and a really large handbag that she keeps a Little Joe crossbow in that she got during the War.  Becomes Dame Commander in or around 1980.  

 Edmund:  With forged papers, Edmund passes off as a British army private in Washington DC in 1943, becomes fluent in German and Russian, and is involved in espionage efforts in Greece and the Balkans that preceded Allied operations in the Mediterranean in 1943.   He narrowly avoids a honey trap and seduction by a man with the aim of  compromising him into becoming a Soviet agent – the Soviets are seeking information on the Venona project.  After flirting with the SIS, he decides to not join his sister in espionage.  He reads law at Oxford and works the Judges’ Trial at Nuremberg.  He becomes a successful barrister and renowned human rights activist, with a particular focus on war crimes (with Lucy) and tirelessly advocates for the Chagoss Islands.  Edmund refuses a knighthood for years because he wants Peter to get his first.  He finally relents and becomes the Right Honourable Sir Edmund Pevensie but hates being called Sir.  Sits on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.  Bisexual, married, three children, five grandchildren, married to a Holocaust survivor. Always keeps cats.

 Lucy:  Leaves school in 1943 with forged identity papers to begin agitating for Greek famine relief and more aggressive action to stop the Holocaust and allow more Jews into England.  Joins the Red Cross.  Eventually becomes involved in smuggling food to the Channel Islands which are under Nazi occupation. After the war, Lucy advocates for families of Chinese men in the Liverpool area after the Chinese merchant sailors are secretly kidnapped and forcibly repatriated back to China.  She eventually goes back to school and becomes a doctor.  She and Edmund are involved war crimes investigations all over the world.  Through NGOs, she operates clinics and advocates for security of the whole person (income, education, home, political stability, healthcare) as universal human rights.  Short listed for a Nobel Peace prize twice.  Has arrest records in 5 countries for civil disobedience.  Bisexual. Marries an American, has three children and four grandchildren.  

 Eustace:  Becomes a world-renowned paleontologist, with a focus on trying to find fossil records that can explain the worldwide mythology of dragons. Discovers a species of flying lizard, Draco Scrubb.  Marries Jill, two children.

 Jill:  A respected artist and cook.  She sells art to sporting magazines her mother and father run in the U.S. and Caribbean and also to paleontological and naturalist publications.  Also active with her family, in the cause of Jamaican independence and politics thereafter.  She purchases a cottage on the Isle of Wright that has portals to a magical place with pink water and blue sand.  

[a-dinosaur-a-day]

Liopleurodon ferox, L. pachydeirus

By Jack Wood on @thewoodparable

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Name: Liopleurodon ferox, L. pachydeirus

Name Meaning: Smooth-sided Teeth

First Described: 1873

Described By: Sauvage

Classification: Cellular Life, Archaea, Proteoarchaeota, Eukaryota, Unikonta, Opisthokonta, Holozoa, Filozoa, Metazoa, Eumetazoa, Planulozoa, Bilatera, Nephrozoa, Deuterostomia, Chordata, Craniata, Vertebrata, Gnathostomata, Eugnathostomata, Teleostomi, Euteleostomi, Sarcopterygii, Rhipidistia, Tetrapodomorpha, Eotetrapodiformes, Elpistostegalia, Stegocephalia, Tetrapoda, Reptiliomorpha, Anthracosauria, Batrachosauria, Cotylosauria, Amniota, Sauropsida, Eureptilia, Romeriida, Diapsida, Neodiapsida, Sauria, Archosauromorpha, Pantestudines, Eosauropterygia, Pistosauroidea, Pistosauria, Plesiosauria, Pliosauroidea, Pliosauridae

Happy April Fool’s! As per tradition, I am writing an article about a non-dinosaur - specifically, the marine reptile Liopleurodon. Made famous by the landmark documentary series Walking with Dinosaurs, Liopleurodon was not really much like as shown in that series - though an important marine predator, it wasn’t... huge. In fact, it was really just around the same length, at maximum, as the modern orca, so there is that misconception shattered. 

Never forget. By Slate Weasel, in the Public Domain

The reason for this misconception is primarily because the skeleton of pliosaurs like Liopleurodon are not really well known, and in fact it was difficult to estimate the size of Liopleurodon in the first place, though of course, it was a known exaggeration to portray it so large. Since the program was made, research of another pliosaur, Kronosaurus, has shown that the heads of these animals made up about one fifth of their total body length - which shows how weird their heads were, for one, but for two it allowed for the estimation of Liopleurodon’s body size based on its skull. It’s skull was, overall, about 1.51 meters in length, making its body around 6.39 meters long. 

By Nobu Tamura, CC BY 2.5

Liopleurodon is known from near Boulogne-sur-Mer and Caen in France, but other fossils are known from England, Russia, and Germany. It lived about 166 to 160 ish million years ago, in the Callovian to Oxfordian ages of the Middle to Late Jurassic, though of course it may have lived longer than that. A large predatory reptile of the Jurassic seas of Europe, it would have been a powerful swimmer, using its four flippers to accelerate rapidly, ambushing prey in the seas. It may have even been a good smeller, able to locate prey easily, and then rush after it to attack it. 

By Dmitry Bogdanov, CC BY 2.5 - note that the fish in the background is inaccurate 

Liopleurodon was a pliosaur, a group of marine reptiles a part of the bigger group of Plesiosaurs. Though Liopleurodon had a short neck, it’s a common misconception that the difference between Pliosaurs and other Plesiosaurs is that Pliosaurs had short necks - plenty of Pliosaurs didn’t have short necks (though most did, and long heads to boot), and there are Plesiosaurs to the exclusion of Pliosaurs with short necks and long heads same as Pliosaurs. Sill, Liopleurodon was fairly typical for its group, and a common figure in its environment. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liopleurodon 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesiosauroidea 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesiosauria 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliosauroidea

[timehasbeenbusy]

Paris

Sunday 15 May 1831

9 10/..

12/..

Sent off my three notes (vide last night) before breakfast.  Incurred a cross, both last night and this morning.  Fahrenheight 61º at 10 35/.. and very fine morning – (no time for a walk) at which hour breakfast – dressed – prayers at 12 35/.. abridged to 20 minutes – Out at 1¼, my aunt with me – made calls – the Audoins not at home left my card -

 Admitted at the Cuvier’s – Madame Cuvier and her daughter Mademouselle Sophie Duvaucell in great distress – the latter left the room sobbing over the death of her great friend of which she had that moment heard (from her mother) Monsieur le baron Séguier, frère du Monsieur le 1er Président, et Consul Général de France à Londres.  I got up immediately to come away but Madame Cuvier would keep me saying she was so accustomed to affliction (malheur), it was nothing new to her but she was affligée to see her daughter so affligée besides grieving over the loss of so old a friend, at 60. Hoped they should see me on my return – very civil – promised to take some books for them to London – mentioned Thursday as the day of going.

 Then called on Monsieur Geoffroy Saint Hilaire and sat ½ hour with him hearing of his fossil researches at Caen, and of his discoveries and theories there on – the fossil animal found there not a crocodile – the link between the lizard or what and crocodile –Shewed how by a different atmosphere lizards coud gradually be transformed into birds, – and proved that the atmosphere was different dans le temps très reculés – all the great calcarious formations resolved into carbon and calcium, and all animals and all originally formed as minerals are by juxtaposition…….quite a new theory of the globe – vide the animales des sciences naturelles for an ébauche of this theory – but all the memoirs to be printed in the Institute Memoirs or Journals about 60/- a volume same price as the Journal du Jardin des Plantes – great manager, English at  Caen – Monsieur Geoffroy Saint Hilaire thought they would be buying up all the fossil remains – but no! not at all.

 Then called at the door to inquire after Monsieur Desfontaines – pretty well – may not live long? – then to the de Noés’ near ½ hour there – if I could call again, but feared I could not – named Saturday for going – Mademouselle de Noés’ hoped to hear from me – should be delighted to do so.  Said I was a shocking scribe – very idle – if I did not write she must not think it for want of thought of her, and if I did must not be surprised, she said she had once had a very nice note from me.  

 Then ¼ hour or 20 minutes with Madame Galvani to thank her for the letter about the carriage (It seemed from the de Noés’ it was difficult to get this sort of thing) and take leave – mentioned Saturday – brought  away a cotton-stocking as a pattern for more, having before asked what I could give her from England, most acceptable.

Then long while and backwards and forwards pothered by the return of the national guard from the review Champs du Mars, and could not pass across by the Pont Neuf.

Went to rue Taitbout – Mrs Taylor gone to nº 8 rue de la Paise, Hotel de Wagram –left my card for her there and my card there also for Monsieur and Mademouselle Frisell – then left ditto (All p.p.c.) for Lady Granville, ambassade – then ditto for Mrs Barton nº 2 bis rue neuve du Beni, then going for Mrs Hamilton, then my aunt’s card and my own for Monsieur and Madame and the demoiselles Séné, and home at 5 50/..

 No forest and no false hair, he had taken it on Saturday to do up and repair by adding some new, so Cameron coiffed me as usual, l only adding my large comb.  Wore my new morning gown with silk net blond trimmed canezou – dressed – off to Lady Stuart to dinner at 6¾.

Only the family party, Lord and Lady Stuart and the girls, and Lady Mexborough and Lady Sarah Savile and the Stuart’s governess, very nice dinner.  Lady Stuart particularly kind and attentive. Talked a good deal to Lord Stuart saw the gems he brought from Brazil.  Looked over his ‘African book’ (why so called?) large folio containing South American and Lisbon views, done by the artist he had with him.  Mr and Mrs Hamilton came in the evening – she said she had written me a note to inquire what the p.p.c. meant and hoping to see me again – spent a very pleasant evening.

Reference Number SH:7/ML/E/14/0060

[spicynbachili2]

Yellow vests: Hundreds injured as France fuel protests continue

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Media caption1000’s march in France over diesel tax

Demonstrations in France over rising gasoline costs have left greater than 400 folks injured, officers say, as protests spilled right into a second day.

The French inside ministry mentioned that almost 300 protesters had been questioned, with 157 amongst them taken into custody.

Some 288,000 folks took half in Saturday’s protests, the ministry mentioned, with scores beneath means on Sunday.

The demonstrators, referred to as the “yellow vests”, have been establishing roadblocks throughout France.

Many turned their anger on President Emmanuel Macron, who they accuse of being out-of-touch. He’s but to touch upon the protests, and has seen his recognition hunch in polls.

‘Gauls’ resistant to vary – Macron

Jobseeker: Macron ought to assist me discover work

The president got here to energy final yr vowing to overtake the French financial system and argues the hikes are wanted to wean the French folks off fossil fuels.

The federal government has introduced numerous measures to assist poorer households pay their vitality and transport payments.

However help for the protests seems broad. Practically three-quarters of respondents to a ballot by the Elabe institute backed the Yellow Vests and 70% wished the federal government to reverse the gasoline tax hikes.

What occurred within the protests?

Demonstrators took to the streets at greater than 2,000 areas throughout France on Saturday, in response to the inside ministry.

Most protests handed peacefully however at some locations tempers flared and drivers tried to pressure their means via the roadblocks.

Within the worst incident, a feminine protester died after a driver surrounded by demonstrators panicked and accelerated.

The motive force has been charged with manslaughter and launched on bail, prosecutors mentioned.

Picture copyright AFP

Picture caption The blockades continued at a number of websites on Sunday

Picture copyright AFP

Picture caption In northern Caen, protesters scrawled on the street urging President Macron to stop

About three,500 folks stayed out on Saturday in what Inside Minister Christophe Castaner known as a “restive” evening.

“There have been assaults, fights, stabbings,” he mentioned. “There have been fights amongst ‘yellow vest’ protesters. There was lots of alcohol at sure venues, which led to this idiotic behaviour.”

He mentioned greater than 400 folks had been harm, 14 significantly.

Protesters stay at about 150 websites on Sunday, BFMTV reported.

Why are drivers on the warpath?

The value of diesel, probably the most generally used gasoline in French automobiles, has risen by round 23% over the previous 12 months to a median of €1.51 (£1.32; $1.71) per litre, its highest level because the early 2000s, AFP information company studies.

World oil costs did rise earlier than falling again once more however the Macron authorities raised its hydrocarbon tax this yr by 7.6 cents per litre on diesel and three.9 cents on petrol, as a part of a marketing campaign for cleaner automobiles and gasoline.

The choice to impose an additional enhance of 6.5 cents on diesel and a couple of.9 cents on petrol on 1 January 2019 was seen as the ultimate straw.

Mr Macron is at present in Germany for a day of nationwide mourning for victims of warfare and his workplace mentioned it could be inappropriate to debate the protests whereas he was there.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, although, is because of communicate to French TV on the matter on Sunday night.

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[reflexionsnouvelles]

115 000 citoyens mobilisés pour le climat en France

EN BREF – Plusieurs milliers de personnes ont battu le pavé samedi dernier en France pour tirer la sonnette d’alarme et éveiller les consciences face à l’urgence climatique. D’autres événements auront lieu prochainement pour inscrire la mobilisation dans la durée.

Plusieurs milliers de personnes avaient déclaré, sur Facebook, vouloir se rendre à la marche pour le climat, organisée à Paris samedi dernier. Mission accomplie. Selon les organisateurs, plus de 50 000 personnes se sont mobilisées – 18 000 selon la préfecture de police.

Crédit: Raphaël Bellon

D’autres événements, ont eu lieu un peu partout en France ce samedi 8 septembre. 10 000 personnes à Lyon , plus de 1 000 à Orléans, 4 700 à Lille, 3 000 à Bordeaux, 1 500 à Caen, près de 2 500 à Marseille… En tout, 115 000 personnes, selon les organisateurs, se sont mobilisées pour réclamer la fin de l’énergie fossile. Les citoyens entendaient, d’une façon générale, demander aux élus de prendre enfin des initiatives pour lutter contre le dérèglement climatique.

Et il n’y a pas qu’en France que les citoyens sont descendus dans la rue pour dire qu’il fallait d’urgence développer les énergies renouvelables ; dans d’autres pays  aussi, ils ont répondu présent !

A lire aussi : On se lève tous pour le climat

“Manque de c(h)ulot”

Crédit: Raphaël Bellon

« Make our planet really green again ! », « Prêts à sauver la baroque », « Politiques manquent de c(h)ulot », « Surtout, ne vous pressez pas », « Écologie vs capitalisme », « Pour info, l’argent ne se mange pas »… Les revendications des participants à la marche parisienne étaient explicites.

Ces événements, “#RiseForClimate”, ont été organisés avant la tenue du sommet mondial sur l’action pour le climat. C’est un rassemblement de maires, de pouvoirs publics, d’entreprises et de membres de la société civile, qui se tiendra à San Francisco du 12 au 14 septembre 2018, qui doit mettre à l’honneur les actions climatiques qui ont lieu dans le monde entier, afin de tenter d’inspirer les exécutifs, invités à s’engager plus franchement.

Certains demandent que ce mouvement ne s’éteigne pas ? Le 15 septembre, par exemple, une journ��e sera dédiée au ramassage des déchets (World cleanup day). On se lèvera (encore) pour le climat !

L’article 115 000 citoyens mobilisés pour le climat en France est apparu en premier sur UP le mag.

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[businessboostertoday]

Air BP and Neste offer sustainable aviation fuel at Stockholm Arlanda and Caen airports in support of SAJF industry initiative

Press Release, May 18, 2019

Air BP and Neste offer sustainable aviation fuel at Stockholm Arlanda and Caen airports in support of SAJF industry initiative

         Air BP is offering sustainable aviation fuel at Stockholm Arlanda and Caen Carpiquet airports for both general and business aviation customers and aircraft manufacturers.

       Through this offer Air BP is supporting the business aviation sector’s Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel (SAJF) initiative and helping drive its adoption with operators and aircraft manufacturers.

  Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and services supplier, returns to EBACE 2019 (Stand #C21), from 21-23 May, with the news that it has offered sustainable aviation fuel to general and business aviation customers and aircraft manufacturers at Stockholm Arlanda (ARN/ESSA) airport in Sweden and Caen Carpiquet (CFR/LFRK) airport in France. This latest fuel offering comes in support of the industry’s Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel (SAJF) initiative, launched one year ago, which aims to encourage operators and aircraft manufacturers to use sustainable aviation fuels.

The fuel has been produced by leading renewable fuels producer, Neste, and supplied by Air BP. The fuel supplied will produce up to 80 percent fewer emissions over its life-cycle compared with conventional jet fuel and is produced from non-palm renewable and sustainable raw materials.

The availability of sustainable aviation fuel at Arlanda and Caen airports follows the announcement last month, that as part of a collaboration agreement signed in October 2018, Air BP and Neste are ready to supply sustainable aviation fuel to airline and airport customers in Sweden.

  Commenting on the announcement, Irene Lores, global sales and marketing director, general aviation, Air BP said: “Our industry’s ambitious carbon reduction targets will only be achieved with support from across the entire supply chain. Initiatives like this give operators direct exposure to sustainable aviation fuel helping us to overcome any obstacles in its adoption. At Air BP we believe it is important to keep working with multiple suppliers, customers and partners, and using expertise from across the global BP organisation, to support the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel.”

  “We are extremely happy to be able to offer sustainable aviation fuel to the business aviation community. In decreasing emissions from aviation, sustainable aviation fuel represents the only viable alternative to fossil liquid fuels for powering commercial aircraft. Collaborating with Air BP, we can find the best ways of developing robust supply chains to ensure that sustainable aviation fuel is more widely accessible to aviation customers”, says Peter Vanacker, Neste’s President and CEO.

Further demonstrating Air BP’s role in driving adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, Tom Parsons, Air BP’s commercial development manager, low carbon, is proud to join a panel of speakers at Farnborough Airport in the UK today, Saturday 18 May as part of the SAJF ‘Fuelling the Future’ event.

  Similarly, Air BP’s Thorbjörn Larsson, general manager, Air BP UK & Nordics, will be participating in a SAJF panel discussion at EBACE on Tuesday 21 May at 14:00 in the Innovation Zone to discuss the properties of sustainable aviation fuel and its current and projected wider use within the business aviation sector.

Air BP has supplied its BP biojet branded sustainable aviation fuel to commercial airlines customers at over 10 airport locations, including at Oslo airport in Norway, where it was the first to supply sustainable aviation fuel through the existing airport fuelling infrastructure. In 2018 Bombardier’s demonstration fleet was refueled with BP Biojet in Stockholm Arlanda en-route to EBACE and Air BP has also supplied airlines on an ad-hoc basis at airports including Stockholm Bromma (BMA/ESSB), Karlstad (KSD/ESOK) and Göteborg Landvetter (GOT/ESGG).

  Air BP and Neste offer sustainable aviation fuel at Stockholm Arlanda and Caen Carpiquet airports for both general and business aviation customers and aircraft manufacturers.

  About Air BP

As the aviation division of BP, Air BP is one of the world’s leading suppliers of aviation fuel products and services. We have been investing in the aviation industry for over 90 years to keep people flying safely around the world. We supply around 6.6 billion gallons of aviation fuel a year; fuelling over 6,000 flights a day at over 800 locations in more than 55 countries – that’s more than four planes a minute.

  Our customers include commercial airlines, the military, business and private aircraft owners, airports and airfield operators. We offer a wide range of services to support our fuel offer including the design, build and operation of fuelling facilities, technical consultancy and training, low carbon solutions, the Sterling Card for efficient general aviation refuelling and innovative digital platforms to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

  For more information, go to www.airbp.com

  About Neste

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enable our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2018, Neste’s revenue stood at EUR 14.9 billion. In 2019, Neste placed 3rd on the Global 100 list of the most sustainable companies in the world. Read more: neste.com

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[reseau-actu]

La question du coût du transport, criante pour les travailleurs pauvres et la classe moyenne en milieu rural, nourrit la fronde des « gilets jaunes ». Dans l’Orne, en Normandie, le mécontentement est protéiforme, et dépasse de loin la simple taxe sur les carburants.

Alençon et La Ferté-Macé (Orne), de notre envoyée spéciale. - Soulevez le couvercle de la marmite, la colère y couve à gros bouillons. Autour de trois tables accolées les unes aux autres, dans ce bar désert d’Alençon, une dizaine de personnes tentent d’organiser le mouvement iconoclaste du 17 novembre, initialement contre la hausse de la taxe sur le diesel, devenu cri de colère pour le pouvoir d’achat. Il y a quelques jours encore, chacun vivait dans son coin.

Ils se sont rencontrés, reconnus sur Facebook, lorsque le gouvernement a annoncé l’augmentation continue de la fiscalité sur l’essence et le diesel, jusqu’en 2022. Parmi les membres du groupe présents ce soir-là, personne n’est un habitué des manifestations, membre d’un syndicat ou d’un quelconque parti politique. « Quand j’ai un problème au boulot, je suis du genre à le régler avec le patron directement, c’est ma philosophie », explique un jeune salarié. La retraitée du groupe lâche cependant à la faveur de la discussion avoir participé à « tous les rassemblements contre le mariage pour tous », sans que cela ne suscite une discussion particulière.

À la gare d'Alençon, en pleins travaux. Aucune ligne directe vers Paris pour cette préfecture, il faut passer par Caen ou par Le Mans. © MG

Un jeune père, intermittent du spectacle, explique également s’être rendu, en curieux, à la manifestation syndicale du 17 octobre dernier, à Alençon : « Mais c’est la préfecture qui décide, le parcours, l’horaire, tout ! Vous allez par là, vous tournez ici… Franchement, ça dérange qui ? Ça sert à quoi ? » Sur le fond, ils insistent d’une même voix : le mouvement est « apolitique », « citoyen », du genre à renverser des sacs, vieux meubles et palettes sur les ronds-points, près des péages, à l’entrée des villes, sans drapeau ni couleur.

Aucun d’entre eux ne veut donner son nom, par crainte de représailles administratives ou policières. « Appelez les femmes Brigitte, et les hommes Emmanuel », pouffe cette mère de famille, comme un écho lointain aux multiples « Camille » poussés sur la ZAD de Notre-Dame-des-Landes. Ici aussi, on est soucieux de son anonymat et de se protéger « des renseignements généraux ».

�� Ils nous mettent la pression, on s’est fait contrôler par les gendarmes parce qu’on distribuait des tracts la semaine dernière », raconte l’une des plus mobilisées en prévision du 17 novembre. Le groupe Facebook est passé de “fermé” à “secret”, par peur des « mouchards ». Les consignes sont martelées, par ceux qui ont des contacts au sein des collectifs montés à travers la France, visibles sur les réseaux sociaux : « On ne donne pas son identité, jamais, et tout ira bien. »

« J’ai peur, moi, confesse la retraitée, je joue à la belote avec les gendarmes, ils vont me reconnaître ! » « Il faudra être solidaires », répondent ses compagnons d’un soir, la plupart motivés à « bloquer » bien au-delà du samedi 17 novembre, sans trop savoir encore comment s’y prendre ni qui franchira réellement l’écran pour mener bataille. Ils espèrent le renfort des ambulanciers, des routiers, de certains commerçants qui ont promis de baisser le rideau, samedi. On envisage une chaîne humaine, ou de brûler sa carte électorale le jour J. « Je ne sais même pas où elle est, moi, ma carte, je ne vote plus », avoue l’un des participants.

L’essence n’est que la face émergée de l’iceberg, et la réunion prend rapidement des allures de cahiers de doléances sur le pouvoir d’achat et les difficultés du quotidien en général : « La liberté, on l’a encore un peu, mais l’égalité, elle est où ? », s’interroge une jeune femme, qui a fait ses comptes : près de 1 200 euros de charges fixes par mois, pour une famille de quatre, sur deux paies avoisinant le Smic. Comme un écho aux chiffres implacables sur la hausse de l’inflation, le coût grandissant de l’énergie, des « dépenses contraintes » sur les ménages les plus modestes.

En face, sa voisine s’emporte devant son diabolo menthe : « Destitution du gouvernement ! On ira jusqu’au bout, ras-le-bol de se faire tondre », souligné d’un vigoureux bras d’honneur. La retraitée du groupe a consigné la liste, sur un bout de papier, de « tout ce qui a augmenté », du prix des timbres à celui du péage, en passant par le beurre ou la CSG.

Il y a aussi ce jeune motard, en CDD dans le coin, qui pense à son père, chauffeur routier, qui « galère tous les jours à se lever à 5 heures du matin », et sa mère, aide à domicile, qui est loin de rentrer dans ses frais, payée 10 euros de l’heure, surtout quand l’essence est chère… Ces patrons d’une petite entreprise de manutention dans l’agroalimentaire, qui ont failli mettre la clé sous la porte, en 2012, et regrettent presque d’avoir tenu bon : « On a des camionnettes pour ramasser nos salariés, qui sont nombreux à ne pas avoir le permis. On a calculé, la hausse du carburant, ça va nous coûter 6 000 euros de plus ! »

Ils ne peuvent s’exonérer de la taxe, leurs véhicules n’étant pas considérés comme des voitures de « travail », à l’instar des livreurs ou des chauffeurs routiers. L’une de leurs salariés, présente ce soir-là, dans un mouvement qui, à l’instar des bonnets rouges, mêle employeurs et employés, travaille effectivement à temps partiel : « Comment faire plus ? Qui garderait mes enfants ? »

« Je vais covoiturer avec qui, un chevreuil ? »

Le sentiment aigu d’appartenir à une classe moyenne laborieuse, oubliée, contre « les très riches » ou les « très pauvres », semble un ciment puissant, tout comme « l’injustice » d’une énième taxe qui épargne les plus gros – « Le mec, avec son hélico ou son yacht, il peut la payer plus cher lui son essence ! » –, ou les intérêts particuliers : « Pourquoi ne pas avoir augmenté les taxes sur le kérosène, les avions, les gros bateaux, qui polluent cent fois plus que nous ? Nous, on s’en fout de l’aéroport de Roissy, on ne prend jamais l’avion ! »

Les élus, de tout poil, ont raison d’être inquiets des « gilets jaunes ». Ce sont les premiers à faire les frais de cette colère, alimentée par les vraies polémiques comme les fausses nouvelles. La retraite des députés, alors qu’ils « ronflent à l’assemblée », les prétendus millions cachés de Macron, la « vaisselle de Brigitte à l’Élysée » ou la piscine « pour ses petits-enfants » au fort de Brégançon. Quand on parle CRS, ils répondent Benalla, comme un éternel retour de bâton dans la figure du président.

Dans le PMU de La Ferté-Macé, des appels à manifester à Vire. © MG

L’argument écologique, qui justifie de taxer les énergies fossiles, ne passe pas davantage. Même s’« ils ont raison sur le fond, on le sait que la planète est détruite peu à peu », explique une participante, qui pense « à ses enfants ». Mais le gouvernement est accusé « de prendre la campagne en otage ».

L’hypothèse de l’achat d’un véhicule neuf, moins polluant, fait rire jaune : « J’ai encore, à quarante ans, un crédit sur ma voiture, je ne vais sûrement pas acheter demain une voiture électrique… » Surtout, les gens réunis ce soir-là, à Alençon, veulent savoir : « La taxe sur l’essence, elle ira où ? La taxe sur les clopes, elle va où ? », s’énerve la patronne de PME, en jetant avec rage son paquet de cigarettes sur la table.

Si l’essence a fait pousser ces barricades, pour l’heure toutes virtuelles, c’est que la voiture est reliée à tout ce qui fait, dans une large partie du pays, le quotidien. Dans l’Orne, traversée par une forêt de carte postale grâce à l’automne, chaque poumon d’activité est distant d’une bonne quarantaine de kilomètres. Les lignes de train intermédiaires sont rares, ou mal cadencées, alors on prend « la bagnole » pour aller à l’école, au boulot, à l’hôpital. Tous les jours, tout le temps.

Steve sera l’un des « gilets jaunes » de samedi, l’un des premiers à avoir imaginé se mobiliser à Alençon. Il vit à Essay, petite commune de quelque 500 habitants, qui conserve bravement son boulanger, un point poste, un café qui fait un peu d’épicerie. Professeur dans deux écoles privées, l’une dans l’Orne, l’autre dans le Perche, il roule 25 000 kilomètres par an. « Changer de voiture, ça veut dire 15 ou 16 000 euros pour un truc plus écolo et c’est ce que je gagne en un an », explique l’enseignant.

Pour trouver un peu d’air financièrement, Steve loue son logement sur la plateforme Airbnb, ce qui lui rapporte environ 2 000 euros par an. Vivant seul, avec un chat et un chien, passionné de reconstitution médiévale, Steve trie et composte ses déchets, tente de jeter le moins possible. « Sur l’écologie, nous sommes tous d’accord pour faire des efforts, mais les discours qu’on nous sert sont déconnectés de la réalité : j’habite dans un hameau, je vais bosser en ville, je vais covoiturer avec qui, un chevreuil ? »

La voiture, pour Sadia, c’est l’angoisse du contrôle technique, en janvier prochain, après dix-sept ans de bons et loyaux services : « Je ne pourrais pas en acheter une neuve », prévient cette retraitée, qui a perdu son mari l’an dernier. Nous la rencontrons à La Ferté-Macé, dans le pays du bocage ornais, petite ville dans l’orbite lointaine de Flers, Argentan, Vire, ou Caen. « Pour certaines personnes ici, c’est prendre la voiture ou manger », confie un bénévole d’une structure associative.

Le parc naturel de l'Orne, une immense forêt. © MG

Benoît Hottin connaît ces douloureux arbitrages, il a enduré de longs mois de chômage, expliqués par ses conseillers Pôle emploi par une absence de diplôme ou d’expérience. « Mais pour avoir de l’expérience, faut bien commencer quelque part ! » Après une difficile année en intérim dans le gros abattoir de volailles du département, Benoît Hottin n’a pas été gardé en CDI. Il est désormais employé aux espaces verts à La Ferté, en contrat aidé. Dans quelques mois, c’est à nouveau le chômage qui l’attend.

« Quand je mets 20 euros d’essence, j’ai 13 litres dans mon réservoir, c’est horrible », explique Benoît, qui gagne moins de 1 000 euros mensuellement, avec à charge sa femme, une petite fille de 16 mois et un fils en garde partagée. Pas de gras, une vie sous contrainte. Cet été, il s’est accordé un tout petit bol d’air, quatre jours chez un oncle, à Nantes.

« Je viens prendre un colis aux Restos du cœur, j’ai pas honte de le dire, et je viens au secours populaire, ça dépanne aussi, on trouve des vêtements pour les petits. Mais je suis écœuré de vivre ça. » Benoît Hottin envisage sérieusement d’aller voir du côté des « gilets jaunes », samedi.

« On a eu beaucoup d’efforts demandés d’un côté, et quasiment rien de l’autre »

L’emploi s’apparente à un nœud coulant sur toute politique de transport un tant soit peu ambitieuse, surtout dans un pays qui a fait de l’étalement urbain une spécialité nationale. À Alençon, la fermeture coup sur coup dans les années 2000 des sites historiques Moulinex et Carrier a laissé la ville exsangue, malgré un petit tissu industriel, format PME, qui résiste encore un peu.

Autour de La Ferté-Macé, les gros employeurs sont l’abattoir de volailles, très gourmand en intérimaires, l’usine de chimie PCAS et la fromagerie Gillot. La base Intermarché, installée en périphérie à Magny-le-Désert et qui a employé jusqu’à 200 personnes, ferme ses portes ce mois-ci. Près de la commune, des entreprises moyennes forment un chapelet disparate, cohabitant avec des commerces de plus en plus rabougris : au centre-ville, nombreuses sont les vitrines des boutiques barbouillées de blanc, en attente d’un repreneur.

La fin des grandes usines à forte main-d’œuvre a également mis à mal les déplacements pendulaires. Comme ailleurs, l’emploi à temps partiel fleurit, tout comme les horaires atypiques, les départs qui s’échelonnent le matin et s’achèvent tard le soir. La limitation à 80 km/h sur les routes nationales cet été a déjà fait grincer des dents, comme en témoignent des radars barbouillés de rouge sur la N12, entre La Ferté et Alençon. La taxe sur les carburants achève d’attiser les clivages entre une France rurale, semi-rurale, périphérique, et tout ce qui ressemble de près ou de loin à un « Parisien ».

Le centre ville de La Ferté-Macé. © MG

Le maire de La Ferté-Macé, Jacques Dalmont, divers gauche, a rencontré ses homologues, à Flers, pour évoquer la mobilisation des gilets jaunes. « On n’a pas beaucoup d’éléments, ils parlent de bloquer la rocade à Flers, on ne sait pas ce qui va se passer », confesse l’élu. Il confirme l’aigreur qui monte au sein de ses concitoyens, la faute à « un modèle » qu’on n’a pas changé depuis des décennies et la faiblesse d’une fiscalité réellement « incitative » pour passer au vert : « Sous Hollande, on a mis un coup de peinture rose mais la logique est restée la même : la recherche de croissance et de consommation. »

Jacques Dalmont, partisan d’un libéralisme étroitement régulé par la puissance publique, fait volontiers le parallèle avec le mouvement contre l’écotaxe, sous le quinquennat socialiste. « À un moment, il faut être cohérent sur l’urgence écologique, et y aller, mais le sentiment d’injustice et d’inégalité existe dans la population, et je le partage. Depuis deux ans, on a eu beaucoup d’efforts demandés d’un côté, et quasiment rien de l’autre. »

L’agglomération de Flers, englobant La Ferté-Macé, et dont Jacques Dalmont est le vice-président, n’est pas restée les bras ballants, face à ce problème aigu du transport en milieu rural. Outre le transport scolaire, la communauté de communes lance ce mois de novembre une application pour appareiller des covoiturés potentiels et des covoitureurs, sur laquelle elle compte beaucoup pour diminuer l’obligation de la voiture individuelle.

Il existe aussi depuis quelques années un service de « transport à la demande », qui ramasse aux arrêts de bus scolaires des voyageurs ayant réservé un trajet. Des vélos électriques sont disponibles en location dans le département… Aucune solution n'est miracle : « Il faut quand même comprendre que, dès que nous sommes ne serait-ce qu’en banlieue d’une grande ville, le transport collectif n’est pas à même de combler tous les besoins », met en garde Jacques Dalmont.

Lire aussi

Macron face à l’inconnue des «gilets jaunes» Par Ellen Salvi

«Gilets jaunes»: le gouvernement s’empêtre dans ses contradictions Par christophe Gueugneau

Prix du carburant: le gouvernement paie cher une vision économique simpliste Par Romaric Godin

Prix du carburant: même LR et le RN sont dépassés par la mobilisation Par Lucie Delaporte

Le diesel «propre» reste un mythe Par christophe Gueugneau

L’association des familles, à La Ferté-Macé, propose également depuis 2012 du « transport solidaire », réservé aux habitants non imposables. Des retraités, le plus souvent, mais aussi quelques familles, trop justes financièrement pour avoir une voiture ou momentanément privées de véhicule, peuvent contre une petite poignée d’euros, faire appel à des conducteurs bénévoles pour les courses, aller chez le médecin, ou rendre visite à un proche.

Annie touche environ 1 000 euros de retraite par mois. Travaillant en région parisienne, elle n’a jamais passé le permis. Arrivée dans l’Orne pour suivre son compagnon aujourd’hui décédé, elle utilise ce service de l’association presque chaque semaine pour « faire le plein de courses chez Leclerc », parce que le petit Carrefour du centre est trop cher, aller voir des spécialistes dans les villes mieux pourvues d’à côté. Elle consomme au minimum, n'a pas de connexion internet, ne part jamais en vacances, surveille « de près » sa facture de chauffage.

Depuis début janvier, La Ferté-Macé ne compte plus que deux médecins généralistes, pour une commune de 6 000 habitants. Dans ce qu’il reste de l’hôpital, ce sont des retraités qui assurent la permanence des soins, faute de professionnels disponibles et il n’y a bien sûr plus de maternité depuis un bail. « Plus de médecins, presque plus d’hôpital, des écoles qui ferment, bien sûr que les gens s’inquiètent », assure Rémi, chauffeur bénévole de l’association des familles.

Désormais retraité, Rémi a travaillé toute sa carrière dans la métallurgie, connu cinq licenciements économiques, ne veut pas qu’on le plaigne mais en a quand même gros sur le cœur : « Faut faire quelque chose pour la planète, c’est sûr, mais nous avons des dirigeants qui vivent dans une bulle en verre, quelle que soit leur couleur politique… »

Le terme d’écologie hérisse le retraité, qui n’en a pas moins troqué récemment ses deux voitures contre une seule et deux vélos électriques, grâce à des aides fiscales. Sa femme jardine le potager – « ce qu’on économise avec trois poireaux, c’est déjà ça de pris » –, et lui bataille contre le gaspillage : « Depuis qu’on est petits, on le sait, c’est du bon sens ! Le moindre petit morceau de cuivre, ou de ferraille, ça se jette pas, on s’en ressert ! » Son engagement associatif est fait du même bois : « Nous vivons dans une région où le pouvoir d’achat est très bas, ça paraît logique d’apporter à ceux qui sont en difficulté un petit quelque chose. »

Solution alternative aux problèmes de transport, soutenue par la mairie, l’association des familles à La Ferté-Macé n’en est pas moins menacée. Avec la diminution de moitié des contrats aidés, décidée par Emmanuel Macron dès le début de son quinquennat, la structure a perdu sa capacité d'embauche pour le secrétariat et la coordination des allers-retours en voiture. L’association ne peut assurer, désormais, qu’une permanence de deux heures par jour, faute de financement.

[uk-fossils]

Zugodactylites Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Caen France | Toarcian Genuine French Specimen with Certificate

This listing features a genuine Zugodactylites ammonite fossil, collected from the Toarcian Stage of the Jurassic Period, near Caen, Normandy, France. Dating to approximately 183 to 174 million years ago, this ammonite comes from a time when Europe was covered by shallow seas, teeming with life.

The exact fossil shown in the listing photos is the item you will receive, selected for its scientific value, preservation quality, and aesthetic appeal. This is an excellent specimen for fossil collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of ancient marine life.

Geological & Palaeontological Details:

Genus: Zugodactylites

Fossil Type: Ammonite

Family: Dactylioceratidae

Superfamily: Dactyliocerataceae

Order: Ammonitida

Geological Period: Jurassic

Stage: Lower Jurassic – Toarcian (approx. 183–174 million years ago)

Formation: Likely derived from the Caen limestones or associated Toarcian clay/marl beds

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Biozone: Possibly associated with the Bifrons Zone, depending on precise stratigraphy within the Toarcian

Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf with fine-grained clay or marl deposition under oxygenated conditions, supporting diverse cephalopod faunas

Morphology & Features:

Zugodactylites is known for its evolute coiling, with all whorls visible and a relatively open umbilicus

Shell is usually flattened, with strong, dense, and often bifurcating radial ribbing

Lateral ribs may split or remain simple, often terminating in small ventrolateral nodes or subtle tubercles

The overall appearance is striking and diagnostic for Toarcian Dactylioceratidae ammonites

Notability: Zugodactylites is a well-recognised genus within early Jurassic ammonite biostratigraphy and is used to help define subdivisions of the Toarcian in European sequences. Specimens from the Caen region are sought after for their exceptional preservation and are a valuable addition to any palaeontological collection.

Additional Details:

All our fossils are 100% genuine specimens

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

The photo shows the exact fossil for sale

Scale cube = 1cm – refer to the photos for full sizing details

A beautifully preserved ammonite from the Jurassic seas of France, this Zugodactylites fossil is ideal for collectors and educators alike. Add this striking example of ancient marine life to your collection today.

[uk-fossils]

Zugodactylites Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Caen France | Toarcian Genuine French Specimen with Certificate

This listing features a genuine Zugodactylites ammonite fossil, collected from the Toarcian Stage of the Jurassic Period, near Caen, Normandy, France. Dating to approximately 183 to 174 million years ago, this ammonite comes from a time when Europe was covered by shallow seas, teeming with life.

The exact fossil shown in the listing photos is the item you will receive, selected for its scientific value, preservation quality, and aesthetic appeal. This is an excellent specimen for fossil collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of ancient marine life.

Geological & Palaeontological Details:

Genus: Zugodactylites

Fossil Type: Ammonite

Family: Dactylioceratidae

Superfamily: Dactyliocerataceae

Order: Ammonitida

Geological Period: Jurassic

Stage: Lower Jurassic – Toarcian (approx. 183–174 million years ago)

Formation: Likely derived from the Caen limestones or associated Toarcian clay/marl beds

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Biozone: Possibly associated with the Bifrons Zone, depending on precise stratigraphy within the Toarcian

Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf with fine-grained clay or marl deposition under oxygenated conditions, supporting diverse cephalopod faunas

Morphology & Features:

Zugodactylites is known for its evolute coiling, with all whorls visible and a relatively open umbilicus

Shell is usually flattened, with strong, dense, and often bifurcating radial ribbing

Lateral ribs may split or remain simple, often terminating in small ventrolateral nodes or subtle tubercles

The overall appearance is striking and diagnostic for Toarcian Dactylioceratidae ammonites

Notability: Zugodactylites is a well-recognised genus within early Jurassic ammonite biostratigraphy and is used to help define subdivisions of the Toarcian in European sequences. Specimens from the Caen region are sought after for their exceptional preservation and are a valuable addition to any palaeontological collection.

Additional Details:

All our fossils are 100% genuine specimens

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

The photo shows the exact fossil for sale

Scale cube = 1cm – refer to the photos for full sizing details

A beautifully preserved ammonite from the Jurassic seas of France, this Zugodactylites fossil is ideal for collectors and educators alike. Add this striking example of ancient marine life to your collection today.

[uk-fossils]

Zugodactylites Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Caen France | Toarcian Genuine French Specimen with Certificate

This listing features a genuine Zugodactylites ammonite fossil, collected from the Toarcian Stage of the Jurassic Period, near Caen, Normandy, France. Dating to approximately 183 to 174 million years ago, this ammonite comes from a time when Europe was covered by shallow seas, teeming with life.

The exact fossil shown in the listing photos is the item you will receive, selected for its scientific value, preservation quality, and aesthetic appeal. This is an excellent specimen for fossil collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of ancient marine life.

Geological & Palaeontological Details:

Genus: Zugodactylites

Fossil Type: Ammonite

Family: Dactylioceratidae

Superfamily: Dactyliocerataceae

Order: Ammonitida

Geological Period: Jurassic

Stage: Lower Jurassic – Toarcian (approx. 183–174 million years ago)

Formation: Likely derived from the Caen limestones or associated Toarcian clay/marl beds

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Biozone: Possibly associated with the Bifrons Zone, depending on precise stratigraphy within the Toarcian

Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf with fine-grained clay or marl deposition under oxygenated conditions, supporting diverse cephalopod faunas

Morphology & Features:

Zugodactylites is known for its evolute coiling, with all whorls visible and a relatively open umbilicus

Shell is usually flattened, with strong, dense, and often bifurcating radial ribbing

Lateral ribs may split or remain simple, often terminating in small ventrolateral nodes or subtle tubercles

The overall appearance is striking and diagnostic for Toarcian Dactylioceratidae ammonites

Notability: Zugodactylites is a well-recognised genus within early Jurassic ammonite biostratigraphy and is used to help define subdivisions of the Toarcian in European sequences. Specimens from the Caen region are sought after for their exceptional preservation and are a valuable addition to any palaeontological collection.

Additional Details:

All our fossils are 100% genuine specimens

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity

The photo shows the exact fossil for sale

Scale cube = 1cm – refer to the photos for full sizing details

A beautifully preserved ammonite from the Jurassic seas of France, this Zugodactylites fossil is ideal for collectors and educators alike. Add this striking example of ancient marine life to your collection today.

[uk-fossils]

Leptosphinctes leptus Fossil Ammonite – Middle Bajocian, Jurassic – Caen, France – Alice Purnell Collection – 100% Genuine with Certificate

This listing features a genuine Leptosphinctes leptus fossil ammonite from the Middle Bajocian Stage of the Jurassic Period, dating back approximately 170 to 168 million years ago. This beautiful specimen was discovered in Caen, France, and is part of the highly regarded Alice Purnell Collection, known for high-quality, curated fossil specimens.

Leptosphinctes leptus is a member of the family Perisphinctidae and is recognised by its relatively involute shell, fine and dense ribbing, and compressed whorl section. These marine cephalopods were free-swimming organisms that thrived in shallow seas, playing an important role in the Jurassic marine ecosystem as agile predators.

This specimen shows clear ribbing and whorl definition, with natural preservation in matrix, making it an ideal display piece for collectors or educational institutions.

Geological Context: The Middle Bajocian is part of the Dogger epoch of the Jurassic Period and is renowned for its rich marine fossil record, especially ammonites. The area surrounding Caen in northern France is well known for its Jurassic limestone and marl deposits, which frequently yield well-preserved ammonite specimens that are essential to biostratigraphic studies.

Key Details:

Species: Leptosphinctes leptus (Fossil Ammonite)

Fossil Type: Extinct marine cephalopod

Age: Middle Bajocian, Jurassic (~170–168 million years ago)

Location Found: Caen, France

Provenance: From the Alice Purnell Collection

Size: See photo with scale cube (1cm squares) for full sizing

Condition: Excellent preservation, natural matrix, visible shell morphology

Authenticity: Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity

Photo: The actual specimen shown in the listing is what you will receive

Scientific & Collector Value: Leptosphinctes leptus is an excellent index fossil for the Bajocian and is used by paleontologists to correlate Jurassic rock layers. Its distinct morphology and provenance from a known locality such as Caen enhance its value. The inclusion in the Alice Purnell Collection further guarantees the fossil’s significance and authenticity.

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Fast & Secure Shipping – All items are carefully packed and dispatched quickly for safe delivery.

Add a beautifully preserved example of Jurassic marine life to your collection with this Leptosphinctes leptus ammonite fossil from Caen, France.

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Ammonite - ZUGODACTYLITES - Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, Caen, Normandy, France

This listing features a finely preserved fossil ammonite of the genus ZUGODACTYLITES, collected from Toarcian-aged strata near Caen, Normandy, France. Belonging to the Lower Jurassic Period, this fossil exemplifies the classic features of early Jurassic ammonites and represents a sought-after collector's specimen from the famous marine deposits of northern France.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Ammonite (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)

Genus: Zugodactylites

A notable genus known for its strong ribbing and compressed whorl profile

Geological Context:

Era: Mesozoic

Period: Jurassic

Epoch: Early Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (~182 to 174 million years ago)

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Depositional Environment: Marine shelf setting, deposited in a moderately deep, oxygenated basin where fine sediments helped preserve a rich array of ammonite fauna

Morphological Features:

Strongly ribbed shell with dense radial costae (ribs)

Compressed and involute coiling with narrow umbilicus

Whorls may show tubercles or ventral keels depending on growth stage and species

Aesthetic, symmetric shape ideal for display or research purposes

Scientific Importance:

Zugodactylites is an important genus in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy, used in correlation of Toarcian ammonite zones across Europe

Valuable for studying evolutionary pathways and faunal turnover following early Jurassic marine events

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Ammonitida

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Family: Hildoceratidae

Locality Information:

Caen, Normandy, France – a classic fossil site yielding marine fauna from the Lower Jurassic, particularly ammonites preserved in clay and limestone beds

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a hand-selected fossil, and the photo shows the exact item you will receive.

Scale cube = 1cm for accurate sizing (see photo)

Suitable for display, academic reference, or gifting to fossil enthusiasts

This is a striking example of Zugodactylites from a key European Jurassic location, ideal for collectors seeking high-quality ammonites from France's renowned fossil beds.

From deep time to your collection — add this beautiful ammonite to your palaeontological treasures today!

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Ammonite - ZUGODACTYLITES - Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, Caen, Normandy, France

This listing features a finely preserved fossil ammonite of the genus ZUGODACTYLITES, collected from Toarcian-aged strata near Caen, Normandy, France. Belonging to the Lower Jurassic Period, this fossil exemplifies the classic features of early Jurassic ammonites and represents a sought-after collector's specimen from the famous marine deposits of northern France.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Ammonite (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)

Genus: Zugodactylites

A notable genus known for its strong ribbing and compressed whorl profile

Geological Context:

Era: Mesozoic

Period: Jurassic

Epoch: Early Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (~182 to 174 million years ago)

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Depositional Environment: Marine shelf setting, deposited in a moderately deep, oxygenated basin where fine sediments helped preserve a rich array of ammonite fauna

Morphological Features:

Strongly ribbed shell with dense radial costae (ribs)

Compressed and involute coiling with narrow umbilicus

Whorls may show tubercles or ventral keels depending on growth stage and species

Aesthetic, symmetric shape ideal for display or research purposes

Scientific Importance:

Zugodactylites is an important genus in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy, used in correlation of Toarcian ammonite zones across Europe

Valuable for studying evolutionary pathways and faunal turnover following early Jurassic marine events

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Ammonitida

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Family: Hildoceratidae

Locality Information:

Caen, Normandy, France – a classic fossil site yielding marine fauna from the Lower Jurassic, particularly ammonites preserved in clay and limestone beds

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a hand-selected fossil, and the photo shows the exact item you will receive.

Scale cube = 1cm for accurate sizing (see photo)

Suitable for display, academic reference, or gifting to fossil enthusiasts

This is a striking example of Zugodactylites from a key European Jurassic location, ideal for collectors seeking high-quality ammonites from France's renowned fossil beds.

From deep time to your collection — add this beautiful ammonite to your palaeontological treasures today!

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Ammonite - ZUGODACTYLITES - Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, Caen, Normandy, France

This listing features a finely preserved fossil ammonite of the genus ZUGODACTYLITES, collected from Toarcian-aged strata near Caen, Normandy, France. Belonging to the Lower Jurassic Period, this fossil exemplifies the classic features of early Jurassic ammonites and represents a sought-after collector's specimen from the famous marine deposits of northern France.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Ammonite (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)

Genus: Zugodactylites

A notable genus known for its strong ribbing and compressed whorl profile

Geological Context:

Era: Mesozoic

Period: Jurassic

Epoch: Early Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (~182 to 174 million years ago)

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Depositional Environment: Marine shelf setting, deposited in a moderately deep, oxygenated basin where fine sediments helped preserve a rich array of ammonite fauna

Morphological Features:

Strongly ribbed shell with dense radial costae (ribs)

Compressed and involute coiling with narrow umbilicus

Whorls may show tubercles or ventral keels depending on growth stage and species

Aesthetic, symmetric shape ideal for display or research purposes

Scientific Importance:

Zugodactylites is an important genus in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy, used in correlation of Toarcian ammonite zones across Europe

Valuable for studying evolutionary pathways and faunal turnover following early Jurassic marine events

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Ammonitida

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Family: Hildoceratidae

Locality Information:

Caen, Normandy, France – a classic fossil site yielding marine fauna from the Lower Jurassic, particularly ammonites preserved in clay and limestone beds

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a hand-selected fossil, and the photo shows the exact item you will receive.

Scale cube = 1cm for accurate sizing (see photo)

Suitable for display, academic reference, or gifting to fossil enthusiasts

This is a striking example of Zugodactylites from a key European Jurassic location, ideal for collectors seeking high-quality ammonites from France's renowned fossil beds.

From deep time to your collection — add this beautiful ammonite to your palaeontological treasures today!

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Ammonite - ZUGODACTYLITES - Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, Caen, Normandy, France

This listing features a finely preserved fossil ammonite of the genus ZUGODACTYLITES, collected from Toarcian-aged strata near Caen, Normandy, France. Belonging to the Lower Jurassic Period, this fossil exemplifies the classic features of early Jurassic ammonites and represents a sought-after collector's specimen from the famous marine deposits of northern France.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Ammonite (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)

Genus: Zugodactylites

A notable genus known for its strong ribbing and compressed whorl profile

Geological Context:

Era: Mesozoic

Period: Jurassic

Epoch: Early Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (~182 to 174 million years ago)

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Depositional Environment: Marine shelf setting, deposited in a moderately deep, oxygenated basin where fine sediments helped preserve a rich array of ammonite fauna

Morphological Features:

Strongly ribbed shell with dense radial costae (ribs)

Compressed and involute coiling with narrow umbilicus

Whorls may show tubercles or ventral keels depending on growth stage and species

Aesthetic, symmetric shape ideal for display or research purposes

Scientific Importance:

Zugodactylites is an important genus in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy, used in correlation of Toarcian ammonite zones across Europe

Valuable for studying evolutionary pathways and faunal turnover following early Jurassic marine events

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Ammonitida

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Family: Hildoceratidae

Locality Information:

Caen, Normandy, France – a classic fossil site yielding marine fauna from the Lower Jurassic, particularly ammonites preserved in clay and limestone beds

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a hand-selected fossil, and the photo shows the exact item you will receive.

Scale cube = 1cm for accurate sizing (see photo)

Suitable for display, academic reference, or gifting to fossil enthusiasts

This is a striking example of Zugodactylites from a key European Jurassic location, ideal for collectors seeking high-quality ammonites from France's renowned fossil beds.

From deep time to your collection — add this beautiful ammonite to your palaeontological treasures today!

[uk-fossils]

Fossil Ammonite - ZUGODACTYLITES - Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, Caen, Normandy, France

This listing features a finely preserved fossil ammonite of the genus ZUGODACTYLITES, collected from Toarcian-aged strata near Caen, Normandy, France. Belonging to the Lower Jurassic Period, this fossil exemplifies the classic features of early Jurassic ammonites and represents a sought-after collector's specimen from the famous marine deposits of northern France.

Fossil Type & Species:

Type: Ammonite (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)

Genus: Zugodactylites

A notable genus known for its strong ribbing and compressed whorl profile

Geological Context:

Era: Mesozoic

Period: Jurassic

Epoch: Early Jurassic

Stage: Toarcian (~182 to 174 million years ago)

Location: Caen, Normandy, France

Depositional Environment: Marine shelf setting, deposited in a moderately deep, oxygenated basin where fine sediments helped preserve a rich array of ammonite fauna

Morphological Features:

Strongly ribbed shell with dense radial costae (ribs)

Compressed and involute coiling with narrow umbilicus

Whorls may show tubercles or ventral keels depending on growth stage and species

Aesthetic, symmetric shape ideal for display or research purposes

Scientific Importance:

Zugodactylites is an important genus in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy, used in correlation of Toarcian ammonite zones across Europe

Valuable for studying evolutionary pathways and faunal turnover following early Jurassic marine events

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Ammonitida

Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea

Family: Hildoceratidae

Locality Information:

Caen, Normandy, France – a classic fossil site yielding marine fauna from the Lower Jurassic, particularly ammonites preserved in clay and limestone beds

Authenticity & Display:

All of our fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a hand-selected fossil, and the photo shows the exact item you will receive.

Scale cube = 1cm for accurate sizing (see photo)

Suitable for display, academic reference, or gifting to fossil enthusiasts

This is a striking example of Zugodactylites from a key European Jurassic location, ideal for collectors seeking high-quality ammonites from France's renowned fossil beds.

From deep time to your collection — add this beautiful ammonite to your palaeontological treasures today!