Spiders of Southern Africa (1968)

As the author, who was in his 72nd year when he wrote and illustrated this delightful little book, writes in his preface: \". . . when [a] layman must confess, as I do now that his knowledge of the subject, say eight years ago, was practically nil, his modesty, or it may be bravery, cannot be regarded as anything but commendable. Fortunately, the study of the habits and behaviour of spiders calls for little but time and patience . . . I have also included the outstanding contributions of two South Africans [which]have been too long buried in the dusty volumes of the Annals of the Natal Museum. The discoveries of . . . Dr Conrad Akerman of Pietermaritzburg and the late Rev Nendick Abraham throw a revealing light on the incredibly fantastic side of the little-known world of spiders.\"

Today, despite or perhaps because of his popular approach, Yates\'s treatment of his subject remains highly regarded.

viii + 200 pp of illustrated text and index + 18 pp of inserted plates - 8 pp of colour photograpahs by N P Weller and 10 pp of monochrome photographs by the author. The dustjacket it edge-chipped and rubbed at the front fold. There are also two edge-chips on the fore-edge of the attractive two-colour paper-board cover. The binding is tight. Apart from a small brown stain on the front free endpaper, the book is unmarked and excellent - and, indeed, highly recommended as an arachnology primer.