Scilla, Agostino; De Corporibus Marinis Lapidescentibus quae Defossa Repriuntur auctore Augustino Scilla addita Dissertatione Fabii Columnae de Glossopetris editio altera emendatior. Rome, 1752. Quarto, pp. 84, 6 pages index to plates, engraved frontispiece, 31 engraved plates of fossils including shark teeth. (two plate numbers repeated)
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The work is complete and in a contemporary tree calf with gilt titles and panels. The binding is tight and clean, the text and plates are exceptionally clean and bright. In very good condition.
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A well known italian painter; Scilla (1639-1700) was also an avid collector of fossils. He is best remembered by historians of science as one of the earliest proponents of fossils having once been living organisms. He prepared and carried out experimental studies to prove his ideas. He also noted the stratification of rocks near Messina. Scilla's only written scientific work is La vana speculazione disingannata dal senso ("Vain Speculation Undeceived by Sense", 1670). In this work he argues for a scientific explanation for fossils, as opposed to fossils being placed in rocks by other forces and thus being a test of faith from God. He also correctly identified the supposedly magical objects that were called glossopetrae, or "tongue stones", as the teeth of sharks. His work was originally published in 1670 and the above complete text was republished fifty-two years after his death.