LE CAT, Claude-Nicolas. Traité des sens. - Lot 396

LE CAT, Claude-Nicolas. Traité des sens. Published in Paris by Guillaume Cavelier in 1742. In octavo / In-8 format. Mahogany speckled calf. Spine ribbed and decorated with gilt fleurons and caissons, gilt title on burgundy morocco, gilt roulettes on the edges, red speckled edges. Contemporary binding. (3)-201-523-(2) pages, 2 engravings on 1/2 page, 1 hors-texte plate and 18 hors-texte folding plates. Title vignette, lettering, headbands and tailpieces. Rubbing, faded gilding on nerves, 1 slightly split jaw at tail cap, small wormhole in corner of first board, corners and edges dulled. First edition of this Traité des sens, the most important work by Le Cat (1700-1768), divided into five parts corresponding to the five senses and illustrated with 19 engraved plates in the text and 2 engravings in the text. In this work, based as much on his research in physics as in physiology, Le Cat presents a theory of light propagation contrary to that of Newtonian attraction. He also describes the pigmented membrane of the eye's choroid, attributing to it a common embryonic origin with skin pigment. Clean and fresh inside. A fine contemporary copy, with bright gilding.