20 volumes, including 14 text volumes & 6 plate volumes. With 730 lithographed plates, 441 of which are hand-colored. 23.5x15 cm. (9¼x6"), uniform period quarter calf & marbled boards, spines gilt.

Important set of the natural history works of the famed French naturalist, mathematician, cosmologist, and encyclopedic author. The present edition is notable for the many dissections and skeletal depictions in addition to the hand-colored plates of the subjects animals. There are two loose portraits (of Buffon and Daubenton) laid in, but none bound in, although it seems five are called for. Only one of the two maps are present (that of the ancient world), and it is torn along folds. There might be a another plate or two missing, the numbers called for are inconsistent, though there are no signs of removals, sold as is.