De l'instinct et de l'intelligence

First edition, illustrated with 46 wood-engraved figures in the text, including 2 full-page plates (cf. Lorentz, IX, 740; not in Nissen).

Contemporary half red shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands showing some rubbing and a small loss at the foot, marbled paper sides, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, corners rubbed.

Some scattered foxing; a light waterstain in the lower right margin of the final leaves, without affecting the text.

An interesting work awarded the Montyon Prize by the Académie française, addressing the appearance of instinct in the mineral and vegetal worlds; the journey of pollen; carnivorous plants; constructive, maternal, and migratory instincts; remarkable instincts among certain arthropods such as spiders, bees, ants, and parasites; innate and acquired behaviours and aptitudes. The study also considers intelligence in birds, ants and bees, rats, wolves and foxes, the elephant, horse, dog, and monkey, as well as language: insect sounds, birdsong, mammalian vocalisations, and natural gestures and signs.