DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU (Henri Louis). Traité des arbres et arbustes qui se cultivent en France en pleine terre. Paris, Guérin & Delatour, 1755. 2 volumes in-4, marbled calf, spine decorated, red edges (period binding). First edition. The work, "the definitive work on the subject in France at that time" (Johnston), is illustrated with 250 superb wood-engraved plates from Mattioli's famous herbarium published in Venice in 1583, plus an original copper-engraved iconography comprising four folding plates, 182 figures of flowers and seeds placed at the head of the chapters and an allegorical vignette by Nicolas Ozanne. Inspector General of the Navy, Duhamel du Monceau (1700-1782) was recognised as one of the greatest specialists in wood, having discovered the laws of tree growth, bark formation and the double movement of sap. In 1754, he was entrusted with the task of compiling a Treatise on Forests consisting of five independent works, each complete in its own right. The Treatise on Trees and Shrubs (Traité des arbres et arbustes), published in 1755, was the cornerstone of this edifice, established as a reasoned flora based on Tournefort's classification. This work makes Duhamel du Monceau the creator of forest botany, according to Davy de Virville. From the van Huerne library, with bookplate engraved by N. Heylbroeck and signed J. de Pelichy van Huerne. Moisture stains at the beginning of the first volume, tear to the first blank leaf. Pritzel, n°2469 - Nissen, n°547 - Plesch, 209 - Hunt, 552 - Johnston, n°439.