Jena, Gustav Fischer, 1879. 4to (29.5 x 23.0 cm). 106 pp.; nine tinted lithographed plates. Original printed wrappers.

An important herpetological contribution by the German comparative anatomist and herpetologist Robert Wiedersheim (1848-1923), author of the influencial " Lehrbuch der vergleichende Anatomie der Wirbeltiere" (1882) - see Adler. Gymnophiona are more closely related to caecilians than to frogs or salamanders. The name derives from the Greek words γυμνος (gymnos, naked) and οφις (ophis, snake), as the caecilians were originally thought to be related to snakes. Uncut. Small bookseller's label mounted on the front wrapper; some light, scattered foxing; gradually weakening damp-staining to the text leaves, the plates only with a weak stain in the top margin; otherwise a very good copy. Adler II, pp. 99-100; Cat. BM(NH) p. 2316.