Author: Saussure, [N.] T. De
Title: Recherches chimiques sur la végétation.
Description: Paris, Veuve Nyon, 1804. 8vo (19.4 x 13.0 cm). viii, 327, [viii] pp., 16 folding tabels, one large, folded engraved plate. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine with gilt lines and title. Edges speckled blue. = Rare first edition of an important early work on phytochemistry by the Swiss chemist and botanist Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure (1767-1845). DSB: "An immediate success, it was translated into German in 1805 ... and went through many editions. This work which took seven years to write, laid the foundation of a new science: phytochemistry. Saussure examined the chief active components of plants, their synthesis and their decomposition. He specified the relationship between vegetation and the environment and here too, did pioneering work in what became the fields of pedology and ecology". Old owner's inscription, dated, on the front free endpaper recto; old library stamp on title; some very light foxing. In all a very good copy in a nice contempirary binding. DSB 12, pp. 123-124; Pritzel 8051.

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