Bourguet, Louis & Cartier P.; Traite dea Petrifications-la première partie traite de différentes questions de géologie,cristallisations,origines des pierres,fossiles-la seconde,le Traité des pétrifications. 1st ed., Paris, Briasson. 1742. Quarto pp. xvi, half title,163, half title, 91, 4, and 60 folded engraved plates.

The work is complete and in a contemporary full mottled calf with six decorative gilt spine panels and red/gold spine label and marbled end sheets. Light scuffing to edges and corners, text and plates exceptionally bright, inked inscription on title page indicating this was the copy of Louis Delaunay, Director Museum of Natural History, Tours. Very good condition.
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITEMS

A French geologist and naturalist; Bourguet (1678-1742) was one of the prominent geologists of his day. He pioneered concepts in physical geology and the structure of the earth, many of these appearing in the above work "Traite de Petrifications". This is one of the earliest books on paleontology published in French and also Bourguet's most important work. The majority of the beautifully rendered illustrations are of fossils collected by Bourguet primarily in Switzerland and the remaining illustrations are reproduced from fossils appearing in works by Lange and Scheuchzer.