This ""Guide to Familiar American Species"" is the sixth in the Golden Nature Guide Series. Compact, informative and very photographically illustrated in full color by James Gordon Irving, it is a handy (hand-sized) volume that starts off with helpful material on the species in general, their values, and how to study them. Then come quick reference descriptions of the species- turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, alligators and salamanders- and their varieties. Excellent for field trips and the pictures, in natural habitats, are fine pointers.