CUVIER (Georges). LE REGNE ANIMAL distribué d'après son organisation, pour servir de base à l'histoire naturelle des animaux, et d'introduction à l'Anatomie comparée. Edition accompanied by engraved plates, representing the types of all the genera, the distinctive characters of the different groups, and the structural modifications on which this classification is based, by a group of Cuvier's disciples, Messrs Audoin, Blanchard, Deshayes, Alcide d'Orbigny, Doyère, Dugès, Duvernoy, Laurillard, Milne Edwards, Roulin and Valenciennes. Paris, Fortin, Masson et Cie, printed by Paul Renouard (1836-49) 20 volumes in-8, half red chagrin with corners, t. gilt (contemporary binding). A very fine edition procured by a group of Cuvier's disciples and illustrated with 993 VERY FINE ENGRAVED COLOUR PLATES mounted on tabs. This monumental work, complete in 20 volumes, was published in 262 issues that were sold separately. It reproduces Cuvier's text, enriched with new scientific discoveries. The work breaks down as follows: Mammals (121 plates) by M. Edwards; Birds (102 plates) by A. d'Orbigny; Reptiles (46 plates) by M. Duvernoy; Fishes (122 plates) by A. Valenciennes; Molluscs (152 plates) by G.P. Deshayes; Crustacea (87 plates) by M. Edwards; Invernoy by A. d'Orbigny.) by M. Edwards; Insects (202 pl.) by Audouin, Blanchard, Doyère and M. Edwards; Arachnids (31 pl.) by A. Duges and M. Edwards; Annelids (30 pl.) by M. Edwards; Zoophytes (100 pl.) by M. Edwards. The best artists of the time contributed to the illustrations, such as E. Traviès, Vaillant, Audouin, A. Milne Edwards... Stamp of the library of the convent of Saint Maximin. A few brown spots but a fine copy.