Oeuvres d'histoire naturelle et de philosophie

First collected edition illustrated with 58 folding plates (with numerous figures), and very numerous folding tables. The portrait which should appear as frontispiece to the first volume is absent, as well as 4 plates out of 8 in volume 11. This octavo edition appeared at the same time as the quarto edition which has title vignettes. The author took charge of the editorial enterprise himself and composed prefaces, notes, additions, to all his writings, which he chose to separate into 2 parts: the first concerns works on natural history, the second, those on speculative philosophy, as he himself recounts in the general preface. The preliminary matter contains a bibliography of Charles Bonnet's published works.

Full blonde mottled calf bindings, slightly later. Smooth spines decorated with two flies and two wasps alternating; various tools. Red morocco title labels; volume labels in a shield of black morocco. Triple fillet frame on boards, with a second thick fillet. Interior frieze. Edges gilt. Fine and elegant bindings.
Lack to lower joint at head of volume 1, with fragile headcap. Headcap of volume 7 worn. Tear at head of volume 8. Lack at head of volume 9. Headcap of volume 12 partly split. Headcap of volume 17 partly worn. Headcap of volume 18 partly split. Rubbing. Numerous leaves which adhere superficially and without damage to each other. Despite the numerous defects mentioned, very fine set in a rich contemporary binding, and with very fresh paper.

Important collected edition of this great scientist of the second half of the 18th century that was Charles Bonnet, who exercised his sagacity in the natural sciences. He is considered the father of modern biology and his hypotheses on genetics are major. His numerous works on insects, notably his various memoirs on bees, and plants, mark the portrait of a seasoned experimenter and observer. His blindness would see him turn toward theoretical speculation, fruit of the memory of his experiments.
Volume 1: Treatise on entomology; volume 2: Various observations on insects; volume 3: Memoirs of natural history; volume 4: On the use of leaves in plants; volumes 5 and 6: Considerations on organized bodies; volumes 7, 8 and 9: Contemplation of nature; volume 10: Writings on natural history; volume 11: Writings and letters on natural history; volume 12: Letters on various subjects of natural history; volumes 13 and 14: Analytical essay on the faculties of the soul; volumes 15 and 16: Philosophical palingenesis; volume 17: Essay on psychology.; and, volume 18: Various writings.