CARR, Archie. Handbook of Turtles: The Turtles of the United States, Canada, and Baja California.

(Ithaca, NY): Comstock Publishing Associates a division of Cornell University Press, 1952.  First edition.  Octavo.  542 pages.  Having spent years studying turtles in their native habitats, Carr brings together a wealth of information in this celebrated volume. Organized in clear and concise fashion, written in an engaging and lively manner, and furnished with black-and-white photographs, drawings, and maps, the volume gives a comprehensive summary of 79 species and subspecies of North American turtles. Carr considers such topics as turtle physiology, reproduction, growth, adaptation, and behaviour. The text also includes discussions of methods for collecting specimens, the evolutionary origins of turtles, and the mythology and folklore surrounding the turtle. The second part of the volume is organized according to keys that give identifying characteristics, life histories, and illustrations of each species. Under headings of geographical range, distinguishing features, description, habitat, habits, breeding, feeding, and economic importance, the volume provides detailed accounts of the various species and subspecies. Throughout Carr offers colourful recollections and anecdotes about his fieldwork and research.  A very good copy, in original green cloth, previous owner’s name to front endpaper, gilt lettering dulled at spine.  Housed in the scarce original card slipcase.