DIETER SCHIERENBERG BV

Spot. Also included is a review of Thomas Hobbes’ “De principiis et ratiocinatione
geometrarum”, noting that “It seems, that this Author is angry with all Geometricians,
but himself”. A very good copy, disbound, with a wide outer margin. Faintly
dampstained throughout, but not very distracting, the folding plate nice and clean.
James Hutton’s theory of the earth. A very rare and important
collection from the father of modern geology
29. Hutton, J.
Theory of the Earth or investigation of the laws observable in
the composition, dissolution and restoration of land upon the
globe. Parts I-4 (complete). Contained in: Transactions of the Royal
Society of Edinburgh, volumes 1-3, 1788-1794. 4to. This set contains
12 papers by Hutton, the “Theory of the Earth” article has 96 (1) pp.
and 2 engraved plates. Contemporary full calf with marbled boards
for vol. I and half calf for vols. II and III (one volume rebacked).
Almost uniform spines. $ 10,000
= One of the most influential papers in science, and certainly to geology and
paleontology, being the first notion of deep time (i.e. of an earth much more ancient
than written in the Bible), rejecting the idea that all rocks were the result of a single
biblical flood. Apart from this ground-breaking work by “the father of Geology”, the
first volume of the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh contains James
Hutton’s “The theory of rain” and contributions by John Playfair and others. This set
also has volumes 2-3 of the same journal, with more contributions by James Hutton,
Charles Hutton, Sir James Hall, John Playfair and others. It gives extra insight in
the works of Hutton and places his most famous paper in a contemporary context.
Offsetting to the first plate, explanation leaf to first plate bound in rear. A few small,
marginal spots to text pages, some mild to strong offsetting to the plates and front
cover of vol. 1 somewhat loose, but holding firm. Otherwise clean, unmarked copies
in a very good condition. Dibner, 93; Printing and the Mind of Man, 247.
30. Hyades, P.
Mission scientifique de Cap Horn (1882-1883). Tome VI (Zoologie)
Paris, Gauthier-Villars, 1891. 4to, 10 parts in 3, 1,190 pp., 84 pls (mostly
lithographs, a few heliographs and chromolithograps; those of the birds
and mammals sections mostly by Keulemans and finally hand-coloured).
Contemporary h.calf and marbled boards, with five raised bands (a
bit rubbed) and gilt lettering on spines. $ 1500
= Important and rather early contribution to the zoology of Terra del Fuego (South
Argentinia) based upon surveys and collections on the occasion of the International
Polar Year, when 11 European countries and the US organised an expedition to the
Poles in order to make geodesic and other scientific observations. The French team,
lead by Lieutenant Payen and Dr Hyades visited Cape Horn. This is the full report
on their zoological observations, written by several of the leading zoologists of that
time. The complete Zoologie section offered here consists of the following parts, each
containing important new observations and often many new species: [first volume]
Protozoaires, 53 p., 6 pls (this includes sections on “organismes divers”, including
nématodes, with 8 text figs., and Acariens, with 1 text fig”; Bryozoaires, 91 p., 15
pls; Priapulides, 20 p., 2 pls.; Mollusques, 143 p., 9 pls; Echinodermes, 198 p., 13 pls;
[second volume] Insectes, comprising Coléoptères, 63 p., 2pls., Hémiptères, 7 p.,
Neuroptères, 9 p., 2 pls., Lépidoptères, 35 p., 3 pls., Diptères, 45 p., 4 pls.; Arachnides,