Field guide No. 804
Molted basalt, amber husk
The rock has left a coat.
A dark basalt boulder sits on a volcanic plain beside a thin amber shell shaped like its outer layer. The stone appears to be changing clothes.
Field noteRock can break into a thin crust as it weathers. The basalt has shed a coat, very slowly.
Also possible, also breaking material
Punching holes in steamPunch presses need something solid. This one stamps neat holes in a belt of steam that keeps them.
A transparent tortoise in gravelPale glassy shells lie half-formed in quarry gravel. Camouflage went one step past colour.
Fur grown road at dawnAsphalt grows a black pelt along one lane, centre line painted on the fur.
A softer landingOak is not upholstery. The floor is behaving like the wrong material, nothing worse.