SWAMMERDAM (John). The book of nature or the history of insects. London, G. C. Seyfert, 1758. 3 parts in one vol. in-folio, (2) ff. o.b., xx pp., (4) ff. o.b. (eulogy, list of subscribers, index), 236 pp. ; 153 pp. ; liii pp., (6) ff. o.b. index ; antique brown calf boards, modern spine ribbed, original red title-piece. Nissen ZBI 4057. First English edition of one of the first studies on the anatomy and metamorphosis of insects. Swammerdam's "Historia Insectorum Generalis" first appeared in Latin in 1669. This translation by Thomas Flloyd was edited by the botanist John Hill. Thanks to the recent invention of the microscope, Swammerdam was able to demonstrate that metamorphosis was the life cycle of a single insect and not the birth of new animals. It includes 53 beautiful black plates engraved by J.C.G. Fritsch. Binding rubbed, spotting and tears, corners dulled. Faint marginal spotting to first few leaves, minor foxing, last 3 leaves creased with small marginal worm gallery.