Dezallier d' Argenville A.J. La Conchyliologie ou Histoire Naturelle des Coquilles de Mer, d'Eau Douce, Terrestres et Fossiles. Avec un Traité de la Zoomorphose, ou représentation des Animaux qui les habitent: Ouvrage dans lequel on trouve une nouvelle Méthode de les diviser. Troisième Edition. Paris, G. de Bure, 1780. 2 volumes. Large-4to.

3 emblematic hand colored copper engraved frontispieces, 1 engraved portrait and 80 magnificent hand colored copper engraved plates. Original 18th century half calf, richly gilt spines with gilt lettered labels.

Nissen ZBI, 146. Desallier d'Argenville was counsellor to the king and his 'L'histoire naturelle ... et la conchyliologie' first published in 1742, became very popular. In this work he introduced for the first time the term conchyliologie. The present much enlarged third edition is rarer than the first edition. It was published after the death of the author by Jacques de Favanne and his son Jacques Guillaume. The excellent plates are after drawings by father and son.

"This work illustrated with beautiful plates, was a great success. D'Argenville profited from the eighteenth century's infatuation with the natural sciences and, indeed, contributed to the vogue by publishing descriptions of the most notable exhibits of natural history in Paris and the provinces". (DSB).

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