Bombay, The Bombay Natural History Society, 1905-1919. 29 parts in one. 8vo (24.5 x 16.5 cm). 472 pp.; 28 chromolithographed plates; 27 engraved "diagrams" (i.e., engraved plates - some partially coloured), 19 distribution maps (of which 16 partly coloured). Later dark blue half calf over warm grey paper boards. Spine in five compartments, rich gilt with floral corner pieces, gilt vignettes and gilt title. Blue endpapers. First printed wrapper bound in.

An exceedingly rare, complete copy of a paper published in 29 parts [numbered I-XXVIII, and XX continued] over a period of almost 14 years. The series contains two types of illustrations, besides a few text engravings, namely page-sized "plates" (fine, chromolithographed plates - usually tissue-guarded), and page-sized "diagrams" (engraved plates - some coloured). Both types have blank versos and are numbered separately - the full-colour plates consecutively throughout, the b/w "diagrams" only within an issue. There are three additional b/w plates, simply numbered "A" (in part XV), and A, B (in part XXI). The maps are either coloured or plain, and always with blank versos, except the one in part XIV, which, although partly coloured, is on a text page. The British naturalist Frank Wall (1868-1950) was exclusively interested in snakes. According to Adler he wrote about 215 papers over a 30-year period. "His first major work, issued in serial form, was A popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. This ... unfortunately, was never reissued in book form" (Adler). Parts XXI and XXI "Continued", both on the cobra, were published before part XX, and erroneously numbered XX too. Bound in: one printed leaf of pink paper, relating to the the Cobra-section; and two printed slips relating to a delay in publishing of one of the plates. A few plates somewhat age-toned or spotted, one plate seriously restored, showing cracks, but backed with old paper. Text and plates mostly clean and unmarked. Fore and lower margins vary in size. In all a very good, complete copy of a great rarity. Adler I, pp. 71-72. Not in Nissen ZBI.