Dezallier D'Argenville, Antoine-Joseph; L'Historie Naturelle Eclaircie dans une de ses Parties Principales, L'oryctologie, qui Traite des Terres, des Pierres, des Metaux, des Mineraux, et Autre Fossiles, Ouvrage dans lequel on trouve une nouvelle methode Latine une notice critique des principaux Ouvrages qui ont paru fur ces matieres. Paris, 1755. Quarto, pp. xvi, 560, with engraved frontispiece, 25 engraved plates. In contemporary full calf, raised spine bands, six ornate gilt spine panels , gilt titles and gilt gold family crest on front cover, early signature on first leaf, Henry Faul bookplate on pastedown, minor light foxing, very good.

Dezallier (1680-1765); a French naturalist, wrote extensively on conchology, natural history and gardening. The above work is one of his most important contributions to the natural sciences. In it he reviews previous authors and their contributions to mineralogy followed by a systematic arrangement of minerals, gems and stones based on their appearance and physical properties. The final section is a detailed study of the mineralogy of France. The fine engraved plates show minerals, stones, fossils, birds and fish. These are considered by many as some of the finest examples of natural history engravings.