Opuscules de physique animale et végétale [...]. Augmentés de ses expériences sur la digestion de l'homme & des animaux, traduits de l'italien par Jean Senebier. On y a joint plusieurs lettres [...] par Charles Bonnet & par d'autres naturalistes célèbres.

2 works in 3 vol., 8vo: [6]-cxiv-352, [4]-730-[2] pp. (some min. spotting, some marg. dampstaining, wormholes on pp. 171-210 of part one clumsily covered with tape).

Contemp. mottled calf, gilt orn. spines with 5 raised bands (rubbed joints), red leather title labels, marbled edges, marbled endpapers.

Bound with: Id. - Expériences pour servir à la génération des animaux et des plantes [...]. Avec une ébauche de l'histoire des êtres organisés avant leur fécondation; par Jean Senebier. Ibid. [4]-xcvi-413-[1 bl.] pp. (some browning and spotting).
First collective edition of this translation by Senebier (1742-1809) of one of the major works of Spallanzani (1729-1799): "Opuscoli di fisica animale e vegetabile" (1776) and an excerpt from "Dissertazioini" (1780). Ill. with 9 (6, 3) fold. engr. pl. showing animalculae. "Spallanzani's conclusions were similar to those expressed by Pasteur nearly a century later" (Garrison & Morton). He also was an early opponent of the theory of spontaneous generation. The first work also contains an introduction by Senebier relating to the "découvertes microscopiques" and the research of Spallanzani on gastric juices. The third part is a reissue of the Geneva edition (1786) with new title. The professor of natural history at Pavia is also known for his experiments on the circulation of the blood, fertilisation and regeneration in animals, and for his pioneering work in volcanology.
Ref. Blake 427. - Garrison & Morton 102. - BnF. - COPAC.