RÉAUMUR, (RENÉ-ANTOINE FERCHAULT DE). - ON PRECIOUS STONES.

Observations sur les Mines de Turquoises du Royaume; sur la nature de la Maniere qu'on y trouve, & sur la maniere dont lui donne la couleur.

(Paris, L'Imprimerie Royale, 1718). 4to. Without wrappers. Extracted from "Mémoires de l'Academie des Sciences. Année 1715". Pp. 174-202 and 3 folded engraved plates.

First appearance of of this importent paper on the precious stones in which he showed that certain turquoise stones were actually fossilized animal teeth.

"Réaumur was among the greatest naturalists of his or any age. In the breadth and range of his researches, in the patient detail of his observations, and in the brilliant ingenuity of his experiments, it would be difficult to name his equal. Thomas Henry Huxley has compared his favourably with Darwin."(DSB)

Order-nr.: 44715