[Beekeeping] HUBER (François). New Observations on Bees. Paris and Geneva,...

[Beekeeping] HUBER (François). New Observations on Bees. Paris and Geneva, J.J. Paschoud, 1814. 2 in-8 volumes, contemporary sheepskin, plain spine with decoration, gilt frieze framing the covers. (2) ff., 362 pp., 2 plates (separate); (2) ff., 479 pp., (2) ff., 12 plates (separate). Leather-bound.

Complete set of 14 plates (separate).

Second edition, revised, corrected, and considerably expanded, and first edition of the second volume of this seminal work in the history of beekeeping and the scientific study of bees. The first edition, published in Geneva in 1792, consisted of only one volume.

Having lost his sight in his youth, François Huber (1750–1831) conducted his research largely through the collaboration of his assistant, François Burnens. Based on a series of experiments and methodical observations, his research helped clarify many aspects of the biology and behavior of bees: queen fertilization, swarming, queen rearing, cell construction, wax production, and colony organization.