Reptiles and Amphibians in Britain New Naturalist Series No 69.<br />First edition.<br />From the library of Eric Hosking with his Bookplate.

London: Harper Collins, 1983. First edition 1983. Eric Hosking's bookplate to front pastedown. Hardback. 256pp. Dust jacket in a protective sleeve. Britain has six native amphibian species, of which at least two are on the danger list. The same is true of two of the six reptiles. Even the once ubiquitous frog is an increasingly rare sight. A greater understanding of reptiles & amphibians can only help to ensure their survival. For over thirty years the New Naturalist's earlier book "British Amphibians and Reptiles" by Malcolm Smith was an unchallenged standard work on the subject but so many changes had been wrought on the British countryside since the 1950s and so much new research has been done that the time had come for this completely new volume in the series to appear. Dr Frazer describes all those species of reptiles and amphibians native to Britain and others, once alien to our islands, which have been introduced. An introductory chapter deals with the anatomy and physiology of the creatures and their evolution. Succeeding chapters give details of particular families and their species: frogs and toads, newts and lizards, snakes and chelonians. A final chapter discusses conservation issues in Britain, especially of the endangered species. Appendices present a detailed taxonomy and information on the law relating to these animals. There is also a bibliography for all the sources quoted in the book. Drawings, diagrams, graphs and maps in the text help to clarify complex information and 16 pages of plates with 33 photographs in black & white illustrate most of the species, both showing diagnostic characters for identification and revealing aspects of behaviour. 33 photographs and 49 line drawings & diagrams in the text. Jacket design by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. Book in fine condition. Eric Hosking's bookplate to front pastedown. Dust jacket near fine and unclipped. Very slight fade to spine. Dust jacket near fine and unclipped. Very slight fade to spine.