(1785). BUFFON (Comte de). THE EPOCHS OF NATURE. Paris, Imprimerie. Royale, 1785. 2 volumes in-12 of [4]-234-[4]-260 pages, marbled basane, smooth spine decorated, red edges (contemporary binding). Second edition with 6 plates out of text and 2 maps (Chaîne des Montagnes de Langres and map of the two polar regions). This rare treatise by Buffon presents a history of the earth, divided into an irreversible series of epochs corresponding to the successive cooling of the globe. At the time, it was a key evolutionary text, which became obsolete a few years later! A very good copy.