630 pp. volume including introduction, text, list of chapters, and list of illustrations, illustrated throughout with 166 engraved text illustrations including 25 full-page illustrations and 26 portraits, plus one hors-texte chromolithograph depicting the circulatory system. Quarto (9 5/8 x 6 1/2 inches). Leather-backed marbled boards with raised spine, gilt decoration and lettering. Very light bumping to boards, minor fading to spine, minor foxing throughout, overall very good. Paris: Librairie Hachette et Cie, 1879.

Louis Figuier (1819-1894) was a noted French scientist and writer who earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1841 before continuing his studies in pharmacology, chemistry, and physics. He went on to become a professor at the École de Pharmacie of Paris, and eventually set aside his research to focus on more popular science. He wrote extensively on topics such as animals, insects, the human race, photography, prehistoric life, and the history of popular modern inventions. Some of his best-known works are "La terre avant le deluge" (1863) and the six-volume series "Les merveilles de la science" (1867-1891).

This volume represents the first edition of his work on physiology aimed at young adults and "people of the world". It aims to introduce the reader to the basic principles of digestion, nutrition, blood circulation, respiration, thought, the senses, movement, sleep, and even death. Like many of Figuier's other works, the present volume is profusely illustrated, with the illustrators noted on the title page as C. Gilbert, L. Massard, Karmanski, and Léveillé.

A scarce work of 19th century popular science; as of February 2026, OCLC locates seven holdings of this first edition in the United States.

Book ID: 53639

Price: $450.00