Many people really do not like reptiles and amphibians. I know this because I run a wildlife enquiry service and they phone me to say so! They seem to side with the famous Swedish scientist, Carl von Linné (Linnaeus) who is supposed to have held them in contempt. “These foul and loathsome animals”, he called them. I think he may have changed his views if he had been able to examine this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated New Encyclopaedia. It seems to be a revision of a 1st edition, as this is mentioned in the preface, but no details are given. In spite of the book having a British imprint, the spelling is American (“color” for “colour”, etc). It is part of a series, of which mammals and insects have already been published, or are about to be[1].
Amphibians are dealt with in one third of the book, and reptiles in about a half. The glossary has about 300 entries and the bibliography about 350. The index is very detailed and these features underline the quality of the work.
A particular feature of the volume and one that strikes the reader as soon as the book is examined is the very fine selection of colour photographs and paintings throughout. Not one is wasted. Often they demonstrate particular behaviour or adaptations. Some are shocking, such as the trussed‐up iguanas in a South American market or the swollen and blistered foot of an unfortunate man bitten by a Brazilian viper. Others are very beautiful, especially the frogs and newts of startling colours. The reproduction of the photographs is really excellent. It would be worth the price of the book for these alone.
The text is equally good. The preface explains the plan of the book. A major article introduces both classes (Amphibia and Reptilia), covering evolutionary history and behaviour. A separate main entry is devoted to each of the orders and each is introduced by a fact file giving the number of species, genera and families, their distribution and a summary of habitat, size, colour, reproduction, longevity and conservation status. Scale drawings indicate size ranges. The main text deals in general with the order’s characteristic physiological forms and the varieties of the niches, which it has occupied. There are also double‐page features highlighting aspects of amphibian and reptile life and reporting in greater depth on the most up‐to‐date research.
This series of encyclopaedias will be very successful for the publishers, if this standard is maintained. Terrific value for money, this is a must for all herpetologists as well as for both general and special libraries. For anyone wanting a top‐class introduction to the world of herpetofauna, this book cannot be bettered.
Note
- 1.
1 A review of the New Encyclopaedia of Insects and Their Allies will appear in Vol. 17 No. 4 of Reference Reviews.
