San Diego, CA, The San Diego Society of Natural History, 1936. Large 8vo (25.7 x 17.0 cm). Title page, 91 pp.; 112 (groups of) illustrations, including many on photos of living animals on glossy paper. Mid-20th-century blue buckram with gilt title on the spine. Original printed wrappers bound in.

This work by the American herpetologist Laurence Monroe Klauber (1883-1968) precedes the author's magnum opus, Rattlesnakes. Their habits, life histories and influence on mankind by 20 years. This earlier, much rarer, groundbreaking work describes no less than 40 species and subspecies with very detailed keys, and a large chart summarizing each taxon's essential characteristics. Also including taxonomical and nomenclatorial data regarding synonymies, priorities, etc. The illustrations are very clear and detailed. The text deals with all subjects present in his later book, including species diversity, distribution, occurrence, phylogeny, morphology, behaviour, ecology, food, human-interaction, venom, medical treatment, etc. Inscribed by the author in the top margin of the front wrapper recto "To Jim Dixon with best regards from LMKlauber". James Ray Dixon (1928-2015) was a professor of herpetology and curator at several institutes in California and Texas. Ex-libris of former owner pasted to inner front board. An excellent, well-bound copy. Very rare - especially bound. Not among the five Klauber rattlesnake papers in the Crane library.