SCHREBER, JOHANN CHRISTIAN DANIEL.

Beschreibung der Gräser nebst ihren Abbildungen nach der Natur. 2 Theile

Leipzig, Siegfried Lebrecht Crusius, 1769-(79).

Folio. Contemp. hcalf. Gilt spine. Large tears to spine. Coverpaper partly gone. Binding rubbed and worn. Large engraved titlevignette. 2 half-page engraved vignettes. (14),154;(2),88 pp. and 39 (of 40) handcolured and engraved plates. Some dampstaing to upper right corners of textleaves. Some dampstaining and foxing to upper right corners of plates, especially towards end. The last two plates with some loss of paper at upper right corners. Engraved booplate on inside frontcover "John Diderich Cordes"

Scarce first edition of Schreber's classic work on grasses, which became of importance due to its very elaborate explanations of all aspects of the numerous grasses mentioned and depicted in the 40 plates (here only 39), which are considered very well executed, both in regard to drawing, engraving, and colouring.

Schreber (1739-1810) was a German physician and natural scientist. He became famous for his diverse knowledge and for his scientific works within botany and zoology. He studied medicine and natural science in Uppsala, Sweden, where he became doctor of medicine and made the acquaintance of Carl von Linné, whom he learned a lot from. In 1787 he became a member of the Swedish Academy of Sciences.

In Germany he became professor of medicine, botany, natural history, and pharmacology at Erlangen, director of Erlangen botanical garden, and president of the Leopoldina. His work on grasses was considered fairly important, especially due to its very elaborate explanations of all parts of the particular grasses, its use, conditions, etc. etc.

(See Stafleu & Covan, V : p. 328 and No 11.127) - Nissen: 1807. - Pritzel: 8395. - Not in Hunt.

Order-nr.: 48618