The Butterfly Fauna of Ceylon. Second Complete Edition.

Very large octavo. xxxii + 231 p., color frontis, 36 photomechanical color plates of adult butterflies, 19 halftone and line plates of aberrations, eggs, larvae, pupae, and genitalia; 1 map. 452 of the 471 color illustrations are photographs of specimens prepared using the nature printing technique called the "Wax-cum-Gum Method" of preparing double scale transfers from actual specimens, which were then photographed for the plates, while the bodies and antennae were painted by "unskilled draughtsmen"--the entire process is explained in detail by the author. Includes the Foreword to both editions, a Systematic List of species, and an Introduction that contains sections on the history of the study of Ceylon butterflies, classification, nomenclature, behavior, distribution, mimicry, and details on collecting and preserving specimens. Publisher's brown cloth covers, gilt titles on spine. Very Good condition. Internally clean, bright, and tight, no marks except for provenance penciled inside front cover. Small marginal tears on 3 pages. Corners lightly bumped, lower right corner of most pages bent, boards warped. D/j with butterfly on front, titles on front & spine, introductory text on flaps. d/j separated and torn at folds, portions at top & bottom of spine missing; now protected with mylar. Heavy item, requires extra postage.…