A lovely set, in original marbled paper covers, each volume in its custom slip case. The set is in excellent conditon, with some general toning and dusty edges, untrimmed and often uncut, with some marginal stains to the last plates of volume one. Two octavo volumes: 24pp., 342pp., 23 folding plates; : 4pp., 456pp., 28 folding plates. First editions. So 51 folding plates, as issued. Sigaud De La Fond became demonstrator in experimental physics in the College Royal, professor there in 1760, in Bourges in 1786, and professor of physics and chemistry in the Ecole Centrale in 1795. Fourcroy was his pupil. He assisted Macquer in 1776 in experiments showing that water is formed in the combustion of inflammable air and published books on gases and on physics. He improved the nitric oxide eudiometer and found only slight differences in the goodness of different specimens of air, even in crowded rooms and hospitals. A similar result was found by the same method by Priestley (1779)". (Partington III pp. 105/106). "In "DESCRIPTION ET USAGE D'UN CABINET DE PHYSIQUE EXPERIMENTALE" the author offers an extensive course in pure experimental physics. Apparatus is described, illustrated and its proper use explained. References are made to theories and to authors to be consulted. Parts related to chemistry include distillation, chemical affinity, fixed air, respiration and the properties and effects of fire, including conbined fire and phlogiston. References are made to Hales, Priestley, Meyer, Lavoisier, Macquer and Guyton De Morveau. "ESSAI SUR DIFFERENTES ESPCES D'AIR", which supplements the treatment of gases in the author's Eléments de physique, is introduction to the study of various kinds of airs. There are sections on fixed, nitrous, inflammable, dephlogisticated and acid and alkaline airs. Discussed for each gas are preparations, properties and experiments. Priestley, Lavoisier, Fontana and others are cited. Some bibliographical footnotes are given". (Cole N° 1210). Most intriguing! As issued.