The growth history of a brachiopod is entombed in its shell, but research on fossil and living brachiopods has generated unanswered questions about these marine invertebrates. Several contributors to Brachiopods Past and Present comment on their differing structures and morphological detail. They use these as examples of ontogenetic and evolutionary change, as indicators of taxonomic relationships, or to discuss micro-structural shell morphology. Population studies of various species and recent progress in molecular phylogeny are presented. This single compilation is a must for postgraduate students and researchers in evolution, zoology, geology, palaeontology and related fields.