HARRIS, Moses (1730-c.1788). L’Aurelien, ou, Histoire naturelle des insects anglois; mommement, les phalenes et papillons. London: J. Robson, 1778.

HARRIS, Moses (1730-c.1788). L’Aurelien, ou, Histoire naturelle des insects anglois; mommement, les phalenes et papillons. London: J. Robson, 1778.

A fine copy, showing dorsal and ventral views of each subject together with their stages of development (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis) and preferred food. Second edition. "One of the most outstanding authors of entomological literature during the eighteenth century,” Moses Harris was the “first to draw attention to the importance of wing neuration in the classification of lepidoptera and upon this principle he arranged the species in his published works, illustrating them in color to a high degree of accuracy” (Lisney). Publication of the first edition of The Aurelian commenced in December 1758 and was finally completed in 1766. It comprised 41 plates; four plates (the "Supplement") were added in the second issue of c.1773. Later editions appeared in 1778 (the present edition), 1794, and 1840 (edited by J. O. Westwood). Nissen ZBI 1835; Lisney 234.

Folio (370 x 280mm). Title page in French, text in English and French. Frontispiece, 45 hand-colored engraved plates (occasional foxing and spotting on text pages, but plates bright and unblemished). Modern maroon morocco, green leather titling pieces. Provenance: John Towneley (1731-1813, of Corney House, Chiswick, Middlesex; bookplate) – Josef Raderscheid (bookplate).