BRONGNIART (Charles). Recherches pour servir à l'histoire de - Lot 5

BRONGNIART (Charles). Recherches pour servir à l'histoire des insectes fossiles des temps primaires precedées d'une étude sur la nervation des ailes des insectes. Saint-Étienne : imprimerie Théolier et Cie, 1893. -2 volumes in-4, 291 x 225: 493 pp. (1 f.); 44 pp. 37 plates. Black half-chagrin, ornate spine, speckled edges (period binding). First edition presenting an in-depth study of fossil insects from the Primary Period, by Charles Brongniart (1859-1899), a renowned entomologist and paleontologist. The work is divided into three parts. The first includes a history, followed by a rich and interesting Bibliographical Index of 332 references. The second covers the study of wing venation in insects, with particular reference to neuropterans, orthopterans and fulgorids. The third contains a study of fossil insects from coalfields. The illustrations comprise 25 engravings in the text and 37 plates in a separate atlas. This scientific atlas devotes its first twelve plates to the study of wing venation on living insects, serving as a reference for comparing fossil species. The drawings, made by the author with a clearroom magnifying glass, were finalized by M. Tertrin (preparator at the Muséum) and reproduced in heliogravure by M. P. Dujardin. Certain inaccessible insects have been represented based on the work of renowned entomologists (Mac Lachlan, Eaton, etc.), with a systematic indication of sources. A line indicates the actual size of the figures, while Roman numerals refer to the veins described in the text. Plate XXVIII (pl. 12) features wings of Orthoptera and Fulgoridae, enlarged and reproduced in heliogravure from direct photographs, with a color print by Eudes and Chassepot. For fossil insects, the drawings are by the author, some being direct photographs of specimens, also reproduced in heliogravure by Dujardin. The lithographed plates were executed by M. L. Sohier and printed by M. Bry, including a life-size reconstruction of Meganeura monyi (wingspan 70 cm), flying over the former lake of Commentry. Enriched with a signed autograph letter on the title: offert à la société géologique de // France // par l'auteur // Ch. Brongniart Used rubbing, label stuck to last box. Tears and repairs to folds of plate 27.