Histoire Naturelle des Insectes traduite du Biblia Naturae (par Savary, M.** & Gueneau)

Dijon & Paris: Decentes, Desaint & Saillant (a.o.),, 1758.. [iv], xl, 673 pp. 4to (22.5 x 29 cm.). Contemporary half roan with 5 raised bands (some very minor rubbing), marbled boards; entirely uncut. Title and half-title printed in red and black, one folding table, devices and initial letters, a nice vignette, and 36 very fine, large folding, engraved plates. ¶ A very fine copy, printed on heavy paper with ample uncut margins, and the plates in good sharp impressions. Swammerdam is considered the most accurate of classical microscopists, who was first to observe and described red blood cells. Originally published in two volumes in 1737-1738 through the care of Herman Boerhaave, this work is probably the finest work of microscopical observations produced by Swammerdam, and in many way unsurpassed until the present. "The drawings in this collection surpass all contemporary work in exquisite delicacy and accuracy of detail" (Garrison). This edition was published in the series: Collection Académique... Tome V de la Partie Etrangère, Et le second volume de l'Histoire Naturelle séparée. Nissen ZBI, 4058. -- (A small and light waterstain occurs in the upper margin of a number of pages, but a very fine entirely uncut large paper copy of this rare work.).