First edition, one of 200 copies, of an extensive work on algae by the French botanists Gustave Adolphe Thuret (1817-1875) and Jean-Baptiste Édouard Bornet (1828-1911), with "the very famous analytical plates" (Turrill) after drawings by the French scientific illustrator Alfred Riocreux (1820-1921). It opens with a brief introduction, followed by the descriptions of the algae during various stages of their lives depicted on the plates. It mostly deals with the sexual reproduction of algae, which is clearly illustrated. "Thuret, upon his death, left 40 plates intended for a comprehensive illustrated work on the sexuality of the algae, a summary of a lifetime of research. Bornet supplied the other plates that were still wanting and provided the text, partly on the basis of earlier publications and manuscript notes by Thuret, but the major part written by himself. The plates were drawn by Alfred Riocreux and engraved by Picart" (Stafleu & Cowan).
With a water stain at the foot of the gutter on the first few leaves, plates 47 and 48 slightly damaged, and a marginal stain on the last two plates. Otherwise in very good condition. Nissen, BBI 1961; Stafleu & Cowan 14.441; Turrill, Vistas in botany, pp. 329, 343.