MEMOIR'S (sic) FOR A NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS. Containing The Anatomical Descriptions of Several Creatures Dissected By The Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. Englished by Alexander Pitfeild, Fellow of the Royal Society.: To Which is added an ACCOUNT of the Measure of a Degree of a great Circle of the Earth, Published by the Same Academy, and Englished By Richard Waller, S.R.S."

Quarto (12 by 8 1/4 inches) London: "Printed by Joseph Streater, and are to be Sold by T. Basset, at the George in Fleet-Street. J Robinson, at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-Yard. B. Ayimer, at the Three Pigeons over against the Royal-Exchange. Job. Southby at the Harrow in Cornhil. And by W. Canning, in the Temple." 1688. (16) 267 (12) & (3) 40 pages.

TWO works bound together, as published, in original full mottled calf, with raised bands and gilt ornaments on spine.

Good condition, with some chipping along outside hinges, but holding; and normal wear to corners. Title page of first part printed in red and black. Lower right corner of title page to second part torn and missing, but not affecting text; and minor old insect damage to lower portion of same; date and other particulars still very readable. Engraved bookplate of Henry Maister (of an early English mercantile family).

There are thirty-one full page engravings of animals in the first part; and five full page engravings of scientific measurements, diagrams and instruments in the second part. There is also an index. ESTC R2399

Perrault was a physician and architect (the design for the Eastern portion of the Louvre is attributed to him). His book on the NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS has engraved drawings of each animal and discusses their anatomy (among the unusual animals included are the "sea fox", the Canadian beaver, and "Pintados").

Waller, who translated the second book for the Royal Society, subsequently wrote a biography of the scientist Robert Hooke.

The second title: "Account of the Measure of a Degree of a Great Circle of the Earth" discusses the attempts to determine the size of the earth from the time of the Ancients until the publication of this work using mathematical formulae, optical instruments and other mechanical devices (some of which are illustrated by beautiful engravings).