Felice Fontana - Nuove osservazioni sopra i globetti rossi del sangue - 1766

Beautiful semi-rigid binding in rustic card stock, decorated; label with the author's handwritten name applied to the spine.

1 blank sheet, 45, 2 blank sheets

FIRST EDITION
Famed neurologist and biologist Fontana (1730–1805) was also one of the most esteemed microscopists of the 18th century. He authored an important work on the movement of the iris, the discovery of lymphatic vessels in the crystalline lens of the eye, and fundamental research on irritability and sensitivity. In this work are contained his corrections to a long widespread error (started by della Torre) concerning the shape of the red blood cells. Fontana demonstrated that they were neither perforated nor ring-shaped, but spherical in their configuration and easily altered under certain physiological conditions. His observations showed that red blood cells became markedly elongated when passing through a blood vessel, but as soon as the channel widened, they immediately regained their original shape.

Dedicated to Count Carlo di Firmian. Two ex libris applied to the flyleaves. Pages slightly yellowed. Overall an excellent specimen, complete, usable, and of great importance.