279 pp. Illustrated with 1058 full color illustrations reproduced from various paintings and prints of the nineteenth century. Small smaller wood engraved vignettes at beginning pages. Frontispiece from an engraving of a whale washed up on shore. 11x8, white cloth, spine lettered in gilt, jacket with color illustrations to covers. First American Edition.

First published in Japan, 1989. This is the international edition printed in Italy. Represents a result of the patient and careful research of Hiroshi Aramata from over 1,000 of the most beautiful color plates made by the naturalistic painters, specialists and ichthyologists of the 19th century.