Histoire de poissons contenant la déscription anatomique de leurs parties externes et internes, & le caractere des divers genres rangés pas classe et par ordres.
Strasbourg: Amand Konig, 1770. 4to. [vi], xviii, [iii], 252, [3] pp. FIRST EDITION. With 4 folding engraved plates. Contemporary paper-covered boards, rebacked; a fine copy. Item #10453
First edition of this very interesting work on the anatomy of fishes, in Latin and French on opposite pages. Gouan's history basically consists of full anatomical descriptions, with engravings by Weiss from Gouan's illustrations. Of particular interest are his remarkable observations on muscular movement. The descriptive classification of fish were probably intended as an introduction to a true general natural history of ichthyology. The book was quite popular both in France and following its translation into German.
Goüan (1733-1821), a physician and professor of botany at Montpellier, was one of the first proponents in France of Linnaeus' methods and nomenclature. As a strict follower of the Linnaean school he only paid attention to exterior characters. According to Pietsch, it should be noted that the anatomy he gives includes a myology rather new for the time.
Price: $850.00