Histoire Naturelle des Coralines, de John Ellis, 1756

Histoire Naturelle des Coralines, de John Ellis, 1756
ELLIS, John.- Essai sur l’histoire naturelle des coralines, et d’autres productions marines du même genre, qu’on trouve communement sur les cotes de la Grande Bretagne de d’Irlande; auquel on a joint une description du grand polype de mer, pris auprès du Pole Arctique, par des pêcheurs de baleine, pendant l’Eté de 1753. / par Jean Ellis, membre de la Societé Royale. Traduit de l’anglois.- A La Haye: Chez Pierre de Hondt, M. DCC. LVI.,[1756].- XVI, 125, [3] p.: XXXIX gravuras; 27 cm.- E.
First and only French translation of the work of Irish naturalist John Ellis (1710-1776), considered the most important scientific work on corals published in the eighteenth century (the original edition had been published in London the previous year). Ellis, who initially devoted himself to the linen trade, came to specialize in the study of corals, having exchanged extensive correspondence with Lineu (Carl von Linné, 1707-1778). An illustrated edition with a frontispiece engraved next to the front page and 39 numbered copperplate engravings, of which four are foldable (the prints of this copy are not coloured). Slightly disjointed and cropped specimen, with sometimes deep wormholes, next to the backbone(near the upper and lower margins) and on the lower margin which, however, do not affect the text or engraved area of the prints. It is, however, complete and clean. An entire sheepskin 19th-century binding, worn with marbled edges. Brunet, II, col. 963. Nissen, BBI, 590.