Rare geological work by Marcel de Serres (1780-1862), a French professor of mineralogy and geology in Montpellier who devoted his life to studying and publishing studies of the earth sciences. He advanced geology and paleontology by demonstrating errors of the hitherto used doctrines in earth sciences. The present work is on the tertiary layer of the earth, its mineral composition and the fossils people could find in it. He also describes the most important invertebrates of South France and dedicates at least six plates to shells. Thirty years before Darwins Origin of species, Serres stated in the present Géognosie that "extinct species (générations) appear to be linked by an interrupted chain to present species" (DSB XII), making it an important contribution to the field of geological and paleontological history.
With some inscriptions in pencil on the blank leaves facing the 6 plates and a note on the front wrapper. Spine split, wrappers slightly worn, some minor foxing, but an untrimmed copy of this rare book, in good condition. DSB XII, p. 318; Ward & Carozzi 2035; WorldCat (3 copies); not in Sinkankas.