Memoires pour servir a l'Historie des Insectes.
Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1734.
267 engraved folding plates by Simonneau, engraved headpieces. 6 vols. 4to (252 x 194 mm). Contemporary calf, spines gilt, volumes 5 and 6 with slightly different design on spines and the crowned monogran of Louis XV of France in 4 compartments, some rubbing. Provenance: Paulet St. John Mildmay (bookpate); Oliver Howard (1905-1961), bookseller and managing director of Bernard Quaritch (bookplate) Nissen ZBI 3315; Horn/Schenkling 17767; Agassiz IV, 162, 10; DSB XI, 331; see Dibner 192. Item #308929
"Réaumur’s greatest work in natural history ... He seemed fascinated about all with insect behavior, obviously admiring the industry, dilligence, ingenuity, organization, and skill of those small creatures ... Réaumur, in short, was a pioneer in applied entomological research ... His descriptions were minute and exacting in every detail, and his experiments were among the most ingenious he ever contrived ... Réaumur’s researches were extensive and original ... He made some of the first tentative studies of communication among the bees" (DSB).
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