Scientists often use art to explain the mysteries of life to regular humans, but before photography, art was the only way for scientists to record their discoveries. Library director Tom Baione has put together a collection of amazing drawings in Natural Histories: Extraordinary Rare Book Selections from the American Museum of Natural History Library. Each drawing is accompanied by an essay from important scientific figures, like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, explaining its contribution to the field. Brain Pickings has collected a few images and excerpts, and if you want to buy the book for yourself, or for the science, art, or history buff in your life, it's available from Amazon.