GLEICHEN-RUSSWURM, WILHELM FRIEDRICH VON. 1717-1783.

Dissertation sur la génération, les animalcules spermatiques, et ceux d'Infusions. Paris: Imprimerie de Digeon, [1799].

Dissertation sur la génération, les animalcules spermatiques, et ceux d'Infusions. Paris: Imprimerie de Digeon, [1799].
Large 4to (302 x 225 mm). 31 engraved plates (9 folding), and 2 engraved tables. 19th century marbled paper-covered boards, edges uncut. Spine loose, wear to covers, some browning.

FIRST FRENCH EDITION, translated from the German edition of 1778. Baron Wilhelm Friedrich von Gleichen-Russwurm was a naturalist and musicologist who worked in the service of the Margrave of Bayreuth. In 1760 he met microscopist Martin Ledermüller, leading Gleichen-Russwurm to also take up the microscope to conduct research. Most of his work concentrated on the fertilization and pollination of plants. In this study of microorganisms, Gleichen-Russwurm introduced the process of phagocytic staining, a technique that was not commonly used until the 19th century. Garrison-Morton-Norman 2465 (German edition); Nissen ZBI 1590.