Buffon

1856 · ref. 32127-127 — Paris Dufour Mulat & Boulanger 1856-58. With engr. plate by Oudet after Chazal "L'Homme" and 99 handcolored wood-engr. plates after Edouard de Traviès partly gummed. Large 8vo. 19th-cent. half leather gilt lettering on spines by C. Honegger Basel. Paris Dufour Mulat & Boulanger 1856-58. Buffon's 1707-1788 highly popular works one of numerous 19th century editions. Volumes I and II are of a general nature dealing with the history of the earth minerals metals the development of plants animals and humans human races etc.; volume III deals with mammals domestic and wild and volumes IV and V with birds. He was one of the first to give empirical explanations to natural phenomena rather than refer to the biblical creation myth. "Buffon's order is formed by a philosophical bias rather than by science" DSB which no doubt worked in his favour with the general reader. His natural history written in an elegant style can be rightfully considered as belonging to world literature. The nice plates after Edouard de Traviès show the animals and birds in a natural context. - Text browned or foxed in parts plates generally clean. - Not in Nissen. SCIENCE: NATURAL HISTORY / NATURGESCHICHTE ; Paris, Dufour, Mulat & Boulanger hardcover