STRANGE FISH AND THEIR STORIES. By A. Hyatt Verrill.

1938 1st UK edition. 8vo (160 x 227mm). Ppxix,220. Two illustrated colour plates, b/w illustrated plates, text illustrations. Blue cloth, spine titled in gilt. 10s. 6d.

A highly readable account of the stranger species of fish to be found around the world. The author was a well-travelled American zoologist, explorer, inventor, archaeologist and illustrator. He wrote numerous science fiction stories which were generally very well received. His non-fiction, whilst praised for its engaging writing style, was criticised for mixing fact and fiction, often in an attempt to appeal to younger readers. Chapters include:- Fish who are fishermen; Fish who build nests; Fish that climb trees; Winged fishes; The terrible caribe; Fish in armor; How fish sleep; Strange comrades; Ogres of the deep; The island of sharks; Giants of the sea; Finny fighters; Kissing fish; Fish with teeth in their throats; Finny freaks; The fish menagerie; Visiting the ocean butterflies; Fishes that never existed; Mysteries of the fish world; Living nightmares of the deep sea; The greatest of all fish stories.