[BEAURIEU, Gaspard Guillard de]. Abridged History of Insects - Lot 74

[BEAURIEU, Gaspard Guillard de]. Abridged History of Insects. Amusing treatise on entomology with moral considerations. Paris, Panckoucke, 1764. 2 volumes in 2 volumes in-12, havana basane, smooth spine decorated with gilded fleurons and caissons, blue marbled edges. T., (4) ff, XC, 469 pp, (1) ff; T., 483 pp, (3) ff, 7 folding plates. Binding rubbed, spine cracked with lack of gilding, caps loose. Some foxing and slight yellowing. Unique edition of this entomological work illustrated with seven engraved plates featuring various insects and scientific instruments. Each chapter opens with a moral consideration. For example, that of the woodlouse: "Some Men, with talents by which they could make themselves useful, occupy themselves only with frivolous things [...]: these Men resemble the woodlouse, which with a fairly large number of feet, walks almost as slowly as a snail, unless it is in a great hurry". Ex-libris of Blachère curé de Montélimar on the flyleaf. A fine copy in period binding.